HEYWOOD have pulled off a second significant signing as they approach the highly-anticipated start of the new cricket season.
He is 28-year old all-rounder Fayaz Ughradar, whose pedigree is underlined by the fact that he played at Lancashire Under-19s level alongside the likes of England leg-spinner Matt Parkinson and well-known paceman Liam Hurt.
And he comes recommended by Bob Dearden, who remembers him from time spent with the age group set-ups at Old Trafford.
Fayaz is a right-arm seam bowler and is used to opening the attack with his former clubs, and a left-handed batsmen who is expected to feature in the top four of the order.
His two most recent teams have been Garstang and Lytham. He missed the whole of the disrupted 2020 campaign owing to injury but has assured cricket chairman Roger Smethurst that he is fully recovered and raring to go.
In fact, he took part in the first nets session of the new season at the weekend alongside recently appointed coach Clinton Perren and Heywood’s other new capture Caleb Grant.
Smethurst said: “Fayaz is a cricketer who comes highly recommended and who has performed at a high level in tough leagues over the last few years.
“In talking with Bob Dearden he couldn’t speak highly enough of Fayaz’s ability from the time they spent together in the Lancashire youth teams.
“We are hoping that, with Caleb, we will now have one of the strongest opening bowling attacks in the league.
“We have never really replaced Simon Dawson until now and I’m hopeful that Fayaz and Caleb will strengthen us and make us a tough team to beat in what looks like a very competitive division.”
Both new boys are expected to be available for pre-season friendlies against Norden this coming weekend.
The proposed action starts on Saturday, April 10, when the senior side go to Stag Park and there is a third team game at Crimble on the same day.
There is a further proposed game the following day, Sunday, April 11, when Crimble is again the venue for a meeting between the Heywood and Norden second teams.
All friendlies start at 1pm and will be 40-overs per innings. The selected sides will be on this website in midweek.
The new Greater Manchester League campaign is scheduled to start on Saturday, April 17, when the senior side set off in Premier 2 with a trip to Glossop (12.30pm).
The second team are in Division 3 East and their opening game the same day sees a Crimble meeting with Mottram 2nd Xl (1pm).
The third team are in GMCL Sunday North and open with a trip to Bury area club Brooksbottom on Sunday, April 18 (1.30pm).
+ IN accordance with English Cricket Board and Government advice, NO SPECTATORS will be allowed at any of the coming weekend’s friendly games. This rule is likely to be relaxed from April 12.
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