shammah nicholls cheshire cricket alliance preview

A NEW season, a new ground and a new beginning bring an air of excitement to Northwich, but they may have to wait a while before they can take it in.

The wet weather has seriously hampered the preparation of their new track despite the groundsman's best efforts, with Easter warm-up games cancelled and the first league fixture at home to Kerridge on Saturday (2pm) in doubt.

Adverse elements have also caused a delay in getting all the facilities installed, but chairman Rob Westworth's outlook for the new season is a bright one.

He said: "A lot of hard work has gone into creating what will be one of the finest cricket facilities in the county, a little rain will only cause temporary disruption to our development."

Two Australians have joined the Northwich ranks, 21-year-old wicketkeeper Jay Bowman from Geelong and Castle-based leg spinner Jason Hillyer.

Simon Millington is the man with the task of leading a promotion push from Division One East, being appointed captain for 2001.

Mark Shuttleworth has returned after spells at RPR and Zeneca, while Mark Wrench and John Hughes have altered their shift patterns to be more regularly available.

A lot will also depend on the all-round abilities of Ant Shaw and Simon James, who has won the batting and bowling average awards for the past two seasons, especially as Nick Shaw has a knee ligament injury.

This season sees the re-start of Northwich's junior section, with teams entered at under-15 and under-18 level in the North Cheshire Junior Association.

Club practice sessions are on Thursdays at 6.45pm (seniors) and Wednesdays at 6.30pm (juniors).

HARTFORD begin their Premier Division campaign on Saturday at home to Wilmslow Wayfarers.