South Yorkshire League: Tickhill target top flight return, Sprotbrough set for Championship bow

The Alderson Drive club, who start their South Yorkshire League Championship campaign at home to Wath on Saturday, have signed Pakistan quick bowler Ahmed Jamal as their overseas player for 2018.

Jamal won a nationwide ‘King of Speed’ competition at home in 2013 and could prove to be an astute signing.

Mike Jepps from Kexborough, Liam Johnson from Wickersley and Laurence Browes from Coal Aston have also arrived to add depth to the side.

Sprotbrough, making their top flight debut after winning three promotions in the space of four years, will also be looking to make an impact.

Their overseas player is batsman/spinner Eknoor Singh from Australia.

There is a buzz about the club, with a new third team starting out and lots of improvement to their facilities at Melton Road.

Sprotbrough start their campaign at Rotherham Town.

Conisbrough, who open up at home to Sheffield Collegiate B, should go well.

New captain Amit Kundra will not only have the powerful Gary Strephan, who scored 1011 runs last year, belting the ball to all corners.

But Arosh Jonoda is back at the club.

He took 30 wickets and scored over 600 runs in league and cup cricket when he last he was here, and hit no fewer than 62 sixes in 2016 alone. Good news for local glaziers!

Wath also have youth on their side but have struggled in the past to maintain strong starts to the season.

Captain fantastic Rob Barlow, with over 1000 runs and 50 wickets last season, will again be leading from the front, closely supported by Damian de Vos from South Africa.

Top wicketkeeper Jonathan Hays has moved on, to be replaced by Yorkshire junior Haris Hussain, while Jack Moran joins from Whiston.

Wath’s second team will also be pushing hard after winning promotion to Division One.

Warmsworth start their Division One season at Upper Haugh.