Liverpool skipper hails return of Nealey as real coup

May 2 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool skipper hails return of Nealey as real coup

LIVERPOOL skipper Andy Rogers believes that the return of his predecessor Steve Nealey to a regular spot in the middle-order will effectively provide his team with a “new player” this summer.

Rogers took over the captaincy from the former New Brighton cricketer in the winter and he’s made it clear that Nealey will be occupying the number four berth this season.

“On some occasions last year, Steve was batting at seven or eight and I think that’s too low for a player of his ability,” said Rogers, as he prepared his team for matches against Newton-le-Willows tomorrow and Huyton on Bank Holiday Monday.

Nealey will be taking his place in a high-quality line-up which also includes the prodigious talents of the Indian professional Shiv Das and the returning Paul O’Leary.

“Paul played for us six or seven seasons ago and then went off to Newcastle University,” said Rogers, whose own 15-year association with the club has only been interrupted by further education.

“He played a few games last summer and now we hope to have him back on a regular basis.”

Also returning to Liverpool’s side, and available for the rest of the season, is veteran slow left-armer Geoff Blackburn, but Rogers’ plans have been hit by the news that seamer Chris Whelan’s commitments at Worcestershire will probably prevent him playing for the club again in 2008.

Despite that setback, the signs from the early weeks of the season are that the Aigburth side will be a resurgent force in the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition this year, and that the memories of last summer when the team was threatened by relegation to the Merseyside and Southport Cricket Alliance will soon be receding.

“The young lads in the side are a year older and wiser, and we’ve made a good start,” said Rogers as he reflected on a thrilling tie against Ainsdale and last Saturday’s victory over Leigh. “But we haven’t set ourselves big targets, or any objectives at all really.”

Nevertheless, the captain acknowledges that for many at Aigburth – Lancashire’s second ground and a possible venue for more county matches when the redevelopment of Old Trafford gets going in earnest – the return of Premier League cricket is a cherished goal.

“It’s a tribute to the ground and our set-up when people say that we should be a Premier League club,” he said. “But we can’t use that as an excuse. It’s nice to receive compliments, it’s only our performances which will justify the return of Premier League cricket to Liverpool.”

Rogers’ side currently lie fourth in the First Division, 25 points behind the early pace-setters Northop Hall, who have trips to Skelmersdale and Wigan in prospect over the Bank Holiday weekend.