Former Durham seamer Jamie Harrison has signed for Hoylandswaine in the Drakes Huddersfield League.
And the 26-year-old will be joined at Haigh Lane for this summer’s Premiership campaign by Muhammad Bilal, who has switched from New Farnley.
Harrison has 18 first-class matches under his belt and joins a squad already including new faces Gurman Randhawa – the former Yorkshire all-rounder who is returning to the Drakes – and top order batsman Chris Holliday from Cleckheaton.
Swaine, who have lost Australian all-rounder Michael Cranmer and long-serving opening bat Alex Morris from last season’s side, who finished second to Delph, will hope Harrison can bag a pile of wickets.
He has taken 52 wickets at top level since making his debut against Someset at Taunton in 2012, including an innings best of five for 31 and match-best figures of seven for 74.
A left-arm quick bowler, the Sedbergh School graduate bats right hand and has a highest first-class score of 65.
Originally from Kowsley in Lancashire, Harrison’s last first-class appearance was in 2015, in a three-wicket win against Worcestershire at Chester-le-Street, when an unbeaten 65 from Michael Richardson carried them to victory after 99 from Scott Borthwick.
Bilal, meanwhile, was part of the New Farnley side which carried off the Heavy Woollen Cup last season – beating Swaine in the final.
He didn’t take a wicket in the final as Mark Lawson cleaned up with five for 42, but he did perform solidly to help New Farnley clinch fourth place in the All Rounder Bradford League Premier Division.
Left-armer Bilal finished the season with 45 wickets at a fine average of just 15.44, with a match best of six for 16.
He didn’t get much chance to show what he could do with the bat because of New Farnley’s strong order, scoring 92 in 11 innings at an average of 10.22, with a best of 26 not out.
Swaine also have Josh Holmes returning from Darton for this coming season, and have signed Andrew Burkill from the same club.
Meanwhile, the draw for the Heavy Woollen Cup in 2017 has been announced,
Kirkburton have a bye when the first round is played on Sunday, April 23, while Hoylandswaine are at home to East Bierley, in what should be a cracker.
Shepley have the task of taking on holders New Farnley at Marsh Lane.
Moorlands host Slaithwaite in an all-Drakes clash, while Scholes are also at home against Drakes opposition in newly-promoted Jedi Sports Championship side Mirfield Parish Cavaliers.
Draw: Moorlands v Slaithwaite, Skelmanthorpe v Birstall, Treeton v Wakefield Thornes, Hanging Heaton v Spen Victoria, Scholes (Drakes League) v Mirfield PC, Shepley v New Farnley, Whitley Hall v Ossett, Hoylandswaine v East Bierley, Woodlands v Yeadon, Scholes (Bradford League) v Buttershaw St Paul’s, Methley v Barkisland, Cawthorne v Townville, Crossbank Meth v Rastrick, Wrenthorpe v Great Preston, Gomersal v Morley. Bye: Kirkburton.
The first round of the Crowther Cup, for second XIs, will be played on Sunday, May 14.
Draw: Mirfield PC v Scholes (Drakes), New Farnley v Shepley, Ossett v Whitley Hall, Buttershaw St Paul’s v Scholes (Bradford League), Townville v Cawthorne, Rastrick v Crossbank Meth, Great Preston v Wrenthorpe, Morley v Gomersal. Byes: Moorlands, Birstall, Wakefield Thornes, Hanging Heaton, East Bierley, Woodlands, Methley, Kirkburton.
