2017 Season prospects reviewed

All-rounder Shane Wineti joins us from New Zealand

After a season that saw their second team promoted from the third division and the first achieve a reasonable mid-table finish, it has been a busy winter for Ben Rhydding Cricket Club.

The club has reinvested in the youth policy that bore so much fruit in years gone by, and has enlisted the coaching expertise of Mark Gilliver and Moin Ashraf to ensure the transition from junior cricket to senior cricket is a smooth and prosperous one.

After a season off, Alex Miller will pick up the reigns of captaincy from his brother Robbie. Michael Slater, who enjoyed a tremendous debut season for the club in 2016, will make the step up to vice-captaincy.

The club is confident of a repeat performance of last season’s success by Henry Barrow, who has returned to the club from Addingham CC after three years away. Shane Wineti, an all-rounder from New Zealand who excelled in the Hertfordshire League last season, will strengthen both the batting and bowling.

James Frost, Redmond Bolton, Kervon Christmas and Luke Tinsley have moved on and do so with our best wishes. Fraser Smith has relocated.

After guiding the second team to promotion last term, Oliver Musgrave has stepped down as captain and will be replaced by Dominic Grimes. Danny Bell will act as his deputy. The club hopes to confirm a handful of signings to strengthen what will be an exciting, youthful second team in the coming days and weeks.

We look forward to welcoming Aire Wharfe players, supporters and officials to our newly refurbished clubhouse during what we hope will be a successful 2017 season.