Cricket: Birkenhead Park recruit Indian star to save season

May 24 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

IN A bid to kick-start a disappointing season, Birkenhead Park have signed Indian Cricket League star all-rounder Ganapathi Vignesh and include him in their team to host Timperley in the First Division of The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League today.

Still without a win in the league, and already out of the League’s Twenty20 Knock-out and the Cheshire Cup, Park have made a miserable beginning under re-elected skipper Andy Gibson and look forward to seeing Vignesh, who opened the batting for Chennai Superstars in the ICL last autumn alongside Test stars Stuart Law, Ian Harvey and Chris Read, in action.

Secretary Graham Smith said: “Vignesh comes with an impressive pedigree and we’re hoping he gets us going.”

Elsewhere in Division One, unbeaten leaders Oxton meet Christleton in the top fixture at Townfield Lane, while in-form Upton host Bramhall, who are led by high-scoring Cheshire skipper Andy Hall. Warrington, who have made a bright start under Aussie skipper Steve Hayden, meet Cheadle at Walton Lea.

Up in the ECB Premier Division, Bowdon travel to Chester Boughton Hall, with Stephen Bramhall’s team still buzzing from their thrilling last-ball victory at Bootle in the Cockspur Cup last Sunday.

Neston take on a big task at Oulton Park where the reigning champions parade an impressive undefeated record.

After scoring three successive centuries, Nantwich’s giant Aussie Glen Battacciotto makes his last appearance at Whitehouse Lane against leaders Alderley Edge, before returning home to take up a first-class contract with Queensland.

Irby travel to Stockport Georgians in a key Second Division fixture.

Well-led by former Lancashire and Derbyshire all-rounder Steve Titchard, improving Grappenhall go to bottom of the table Winnington Park, whose 1975 league founder-membership looks to be in real danger.

FIXTURES: TODAY: ECB Premier Division (1pm): Chester Boughton Hall v Bowdon, Macclesfield v Hyde, Nantwich v Alderley Edge, Oulton Park v Neston, Toft v Heaton Mersey, Widnes v Urmston. First Division (1.30pm): Birkenhead Park v Timperley, Cheadle Hulme v Didsbury, Oxton v Christleton, Poynton v Bollington, Upton v Bramhall, Warrington v Cheadle (12.30pm). Second Division (1pm): Bredbury v Burnage, Hale Barns v Middlewich, Mobberley v Marple, Stockport Georgians v Irby, Tattenhall v Sale, Winnington Park v Grappenhall.

TOMORROW: Cheshire Cup second round (1.30pm): Irby v Crewe.

MONDAY: Coors Twenty20 Challenge (at Nantwich 9am): Nantwich Cavaliers v Elworth, Foxes v Alsager Atoms (holders).