Cricket: All change for Meltham

May 23 2009 by David Lockwood, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ALL CHANGE FOR MELTHAM

“It’s great to have him, and it should be good for him too as both his lads, Jack and Chris, play here in the juniors.

“I’m also delighted with the start our Aussie Jake Thorne has made, having hit 64 against Scholes followed by a ton against Kirkheaton in the Cup, as well as his successes with the ball.”

Thorne comes from the East Ballarat Club, and plays for Victoria State (he also plays Aussie Rules football). This is his second season playing in the UK having been at Messingham Cricket Club in the Lincolnshire League in 2007.

Raje is a quick-scoring left-handed batsman who played last season at Southowram, but was put in touch with the club through Ainsley Swallow, the two men having played trials for Yorkshire together some years ago.

Opening bowler Saif Rehman (who lives in England) made his first appearance in the win over Micklehurst, although he arrived before the start of the season, but having visited Pakistan for a holiday, the League had to scrutinise his papers before accepting his signing, and then he missed a game when his wife gave birth to their first child.

“Both Raje and Rehman look to be very good signings for us (the former already having hit a 70 and a 40, while Rehman took three wickets in the Micklehurst win) so things are starting to look a bit better,” continued Kenworthy, who was appointed skipper only the week before the season started.

“Obviously it was hard having lost so many players pre-season, and one or two of the lads are having to play up from the second team. But we have some very good young players coming through”

One of those young players is Kenworthy’s own son, Luke, who announced his arrival last season with an excellent half-century against the mighty Delph side, and whose 36 proved invaluable during their win over Micklehurst.

“Players like Jack Moulson (son of chairman James), the Palmer twins Chris and Robert (sons of Mean Lane stalwart Howard), George Gaunt and our Luke, are all starting to make their mark.

“At the moment we are an ageing team, but then there are a few of those about the league. We have to get some new, younger faces in, because that is where the club’s future lies.”