Lancashire all-rounder Arron Lilley will captain Delph & Dobcross in the Drakes Premiership this season.
The 23-year-old off-spin bowler and right hand bat takes the reins from Grant Jones, who has stepped aside after an outstanding 15 seasons in charge at Huddersfield Road.
Jones will continue to play but Lilley will lead Delph when his Old Trafford commitments allow.
Lilley has been playing Sydney grade cricket with Blacktown District this winter and has just returned from Lancashire’s pre-season tour to Dubai and Sri Lanka.
Under his command this term will be Wasim Qasim, who has signed from Elland to replace opening bowler Jamshad Ahmad.
Delph have also lost Craig Fletcher back to Kirkburton, but they have drafted in Lancashire Under 19 opening batsman Chris Laker from Dukinfield.
Club representative Les Harrison explained: “Grant has done a fantastic job for the club and there aren’t many captains around who have done longer, but he said last year he wanted to take a break and just concentrate on playing.
“It left us looking for someone to fill a very big role and Arron is happy to step up and is really looking forward to leading the side.
“We will have to see how things go with the county, but Arron is relishing the responsibility of being captain and adding another dimension to his game.”
Lilley led the Delph batting last season with 717 runs at 44.81, and he also picked up 35 wickets with his off-breaks at an average of 18.37.
Jamshad had 54 wickets at 17.78, but Qasim also had 50 wickets to his name with Elland, taking his scalps at 19.12, and Delph are hoping he can reproduce that form over the tops.
“Wasim is a very capable opening bowler, as he showed last season at Hullen Edge, and we think he’ll do well,” added Harrison.
“We are also looking forward to seeing Chris Laker in action. He’s a left hand bat who Lancashire want to play at a higher level than the Lancashire County, so they are happy for him to be coming to the Drakes Huddersfield League.”
Delph launch their season with an away trip to Scholes on Saturday week. The following day, they entertain Slaithwaite in the Heavy Woollen Cup.
