EVENING LEAGUE PLAYER PROFILES

 

Ross Todd (Captain) Nickname - 'Deaf-boy'. Ross is a fine free-scoring batsman who can take apart any attack on his day. Capable of brilliant moments in the field although is usually too busy giving the batsman grief. Has taken on the role of captain this season and will look to improve on last years performances. Hibernates in winter, constantly takes the piss in summer ...hated by all opposition teams. 
Darren Wilson (Vice-Cap) Nickname - 'Wils'. Darren is a solid batsman the team can build an innings around. Wicket-keeping can prove very effective especially when stood-up to the seamers, presurising the batsman. Serious knee injury during the winter threatens to hamper his 'keeping. Another constant wind-up merchant, prone to lose his head on the field. Always looks on the bright side of life. Hairy. 
Phillip Hiley Nicknames - 'Lugs', 'Ears', 'Head', 'Roy', 'Stroke', 'Hooter'. Phil will be hoping to rediscover his form with the bat in Evening League after relinquishing the captaincy following a difficult 2007 season. Always a very useful fielder capable of saving runs at his favoured point position. Genuinely funny, much like his thinning, mop of a haircut which he uses to diguise his bovine features.
Daniel Atkinson Nickname - 'Red Dan'. Atko had another consistent season with the ball last year. Often the spearhead of the attack, opening the bowling and taking early wickets to peg the run-rate back. Useful in the field when not sulking, useless with the bat. Head his liable to come clean off at some stage of every game resulting in on-field arguments with captain and team-mates. Sometimes make him bowl better.
Daniel Bates Nicknames - 'Horse', 'Trotters', 'Long-head', 'PC Bates'. Batesy had a fine season last year. Began to open his shoulders and give the ball a thump on top of a pretty sound technique. Impressed with the ball in E/L picking up useful wickets in the middle overs and winning the 2007 averages. Danny is also a useful fielder although is prone to drop a clanger now and again. May miss more games due to new career with the police - let's hope he doesn't get too blinkered.

Martin Wildsmith Nickname - 'Merv'. A steady season with the ball last year after success in 2006. Failed to pick up many wickets without really going round the park. A wasted talent with the bat, refusing the number 11 slot in one game having opened the batting in the past. Brilliant in the field, particularly effective with the sliding stop. Will hope for harder, bouncier wickets which allow him to use his height when bowling. Laid back. Sarcastic.
Thomas Forster Nickname -'Fossi'. Tom had a fantastic year with the bat on Saturdays but got few opportunities in E/L last year as we looked to push the score along. Like lightening between the wickets and in the field. His bowling can prove very handy during the later overs when the batsmen are trying to get the scoreboard rattling. Slightly un-hinged Fossi is likely to lose the plot a little and enjoys a word with the batsmen every now and again - fits in well.
James Butterfield Nickname - 'Butts'. One of the most experienced players in the team Butts is a fine batsman when he is in form. Having relinquished his responsibilities due to impending fatherhood, his batting may revel and return to it's award winning best.... or it may get worse. Well known for his ability to swing the ball and cause all sorts of problems for batsmen in the nets, James is capable of getting out good batsmen and equally getting hit out of the ground. Like sideburns and cooking, cigars will be out around March - let's hope the baby likes cricket. 
Jonathon Reynolds Nickname - 'Jonny'. An impressive batsman who topped the averages last season. Jonny showed his class at times and revelled in the spaces in the field in the shorter form of the game. Good in the field and capable of bowling a few seamers. Appearances may be limited due to university and his quality will be missed when he can't play.
Duncan Ward Nickname - 'Wardy'. Duncs plays cricket the proper way and tends not to get involved in the on-field banter like the rest of the team. A fine batsman though - a correct, hard-hitting left hander who can play an important role for us in the upper middle order. Games were limited last season and usually when he did turn up it rained. Loves a beer and a laugh.
James Druce Nickname - 'Drucey'. Played a couple of games last year and was a very useful addition. Bats at the top of the order for Tong Park on a saturday and is energetic between the stumps. A very athletic fielder, we will hope to get a few more games out of him this year when he isn't busy egg-chasing.
Stephen Hiley Nickname - 'Fat Steve'. Roy is an effective middle order batsman with the ability to get the scoreboard moving. He is good in the field and can bowl useful seamers - utilising a ridiculous run-up as well as clever changes in pace and length to make things difficult for the batsman. Likes a beer, loves a curry and has been trying to sell a 4 bed terrace in Shipley for ages if anyones interested
Neil Sugden Nickname - 'Suggy'. Again Neil didn't play many games last season and can often be found halfway up a rock-face when he should be on the cricket field. An aggresive seam bowler who is able to bowl with good pace and movement, Suggs would be a very useful addition. Also capable of some big-hitting with the bat although not as big as he likes to think.
Gareth Wilkinson Nickname - 'Wilko'. Another Tong Park weirdo, Wilks is a good all round player. A hard hitting batsman and a decent bowler with a strong action, slightly let down by a truly awful run-up. Knows everyone in Baildon, Gaz loves a night out. Hope to get some more games out of him this season. So smooth he'd slip through your fingers Gaz is like an albino Peter Stringfellow.
Tim Forster Nickname - 'Timmy'. Tim made a big impression in Saturday cricket last year and should make a lot more appearnces now he is no longer playing junior cricket. A young all-round talent, Tim is a smart bowler who knows what he is doing with the ball. Also a very useful batsman who can really get the scoreboard moving along and is very solid in the field. Like brother Tom he is also prone to 'losing it' from time to time. Don't take him on at golf.
Daniel Metcalfe Nickname - 'Mini'. Mini is a good left-arm swing bowler who is capable of troubling most batsmen when he gets the ball to move around. Looks like he has a good technique with the bat but fails to score any runs and usually bags the number 11 slot. Mini missed most of last season due to commitments at university but will hopefully be around more this year. Loves beer. Hairy. 
Chris Reynolds Nickname - 'Renno'. Renno is a classy looking batsman, particularly in nets although he struggled for form on Saturdays last year. Also a useful left-arm bowler, capable of swinging the ball and good under the high ball. Will hopefully play a few more games this year, particularly if he can find some good form early season and get on a good roll.
Sean Mitchell Nickname - 'Mitch'. Sean only played once last year but had an impressive season playing for Tong Park 2nds. He can be a destructive batsman with the ability to hit the ball out of the ground. His hitting would be very useful in the shot game and hopefully will be used more often this year.
Jamie Abbott Nickname - 'Jamie'. A senior statesman in a young team Jamie has been there and done it. He's taken countless wickets for Baildon 2nds over the years with his economical leg-spin. A very useful option for the Evening League, bringing much neaded variety to the bowling attack. Hopefully will play a full part this year if he isn't sick of the sight of Toddy on Saturdays.
Chris Holdsworth Nickname - 'Nipper'. Another of the Tong Park brigade, Nipper provides a useful option to the captain as a hard hitting batsman and energetic fielder. The main difficulty could be getting him out of the pub long enough to play a ful game.
Kash Malik Nickname - 'Malik'. Kash is another decent option for Toddy this year. Loves to hit the ball out of the ground and can still throw the ball down and pick up a few wickets. Kash loves to remind everyone of his status as a successful young businessman. The difficulty may be his availability as he is constantly jetting around the country to P.Diddy parties and the likes. Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express......
Joe Longsdale Nickname - 'Longy'. Joe is a very good prospect. A young tall left-arm bowler, he made his debut in Baildon 1st XI last year and will look to progress this season. Capable of bowling at a lively pace and getting plenty of bounce he could be making a lot more appearances this season.
Neil Cooper Nickname - 'Coops'. Esholt 3rd XI skipper last season Coops took countless wickets opening the bowling on Saturdays. A thoughtful bowler with the ability to nip the ball about, he also has one of the finest throwing arms around. Could play a bigger part this year and gives the captain good options. Blind.
Neil Davies Nickname - 'Burley'. Neil is aother good all-rounder. Bowls at a lively pace and is a good clean striker of the ball. His aggression was missed last season as he felt the pressure of an attractive new girlfriend's large thumb. If she's come to her senses, Burley should be available more often this year and he will be welcomed back with open arms by us if not his girlfriend.
Phil Hanson Nickname - 'Hanson'. Phil is an accomplished opening left-hand batsman who plies his trade at the Tong Park, postage stamp sized midge-fest on a Saturday. Phil tends to fill in when he is available but would be a very useful player at the top of the order if work commitments allow him to play a few more games. Looks like Phil Spencer from Location, Location, Location.
Rob Griffith Nickname - 'Munch'. Norm is a very capable standby for the Evening League. Whole hearted in the field, he is very capable of giving the ball a thump if he gets his eye in. A good lad, Griff won't let anyone down if selected to play. Never lend him your car - he'll crash it.