Ten Cricketers who had a season to remember in 1999

CHRIS SCHOFIELD (Littleborough C.C., Lancashire C.C.C. and England 'A') Back in England after reputedly almost making his Test debut in Sydney, Chris Schofield continued to play for Littleborough when not required by Lancashire. His hundred in the Wood Cup final along with 900 league runs showed his commitment to his Club was not diminished. After bowling in tandem with Muttiah Muralitharan early in the season, leg-spinner Chris came into his own towards the end, culminating in a place on the England 'A' tour to Bangladesh and New Zealand.

JONATHAN FIELDING (Walshaw C.C.) Originally with Ramsbottom, Jonathan Fielding spent four seasons on the Lancashire staff before joining the professional ranks. Last year he was pro at Clitheroe in the Ribblesdale League, moving to Walshaw in the Bolton Association for this season. He did his new club proud, just missing out on the double as he scored 975 runs and took 94 wickets with his left-arm spin. Jonathan's contribution was a major factor in Walshaw capturing the league title.

MATTHEW WALKER (Ainsdale C.C.) In a successful season for New Zealanders, Ainsdale's Kiwi all-rounder Matthew Walker made Merseyside Competition history by becoming the first player to do the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets. He started the last match of the campaign needing 27 runs and two wickets to achieve his target . By the time Matthew had finished with the opposition, Sutton St.Helens, he had scored 124 and taken 5 for 39 to easily pass the milestones. Although several players have scored 1000 runs in a season, his final tally of 103 wickets is the second best ever in the Merseyside Competition.

HELEN FRYER (Neston C.C. and Cheshire) Neston Cricket Club is proving to be a fertile breeding ground for talented young cricketers, particularly girls. Hard on the heels of Sarah Collyer comes 15-year-old all-rounder Helen Fryer. Helen played for Cheshire at Under 17 and Senior level this season as well as for her own age group and starred in all three teams. She won the Under 17 batting award, the Under 15 bowling award and was leading wicket taker for the senior team. Helen Fryer is a name to look out for in the future.

SIMON STOKES (Neston C.C., Cheshire U13s and Birkenhead School) Simon Stokes is another product of the Neston youth policy and was their Under 13 Player of the Year, a trophy whose first winner was Sarah Collyer. For Cheshire, Simon won the Under 13 Batting award and turned in a some good bowling performances. But it was as captain of Birkenhead School that Simon really excelled, leading his team to victory in the national Calypso Schools final against Millfield at Headingley, when he scored a magnificent 107. It is believed that Simon is the youngest batsman ever to score a century at Headingley.

NAVEED DIN (Monton & Weaste C.C.) Older brother of team-mate Nafees, Naveed Din had an outstanding all-round season culminating in Monton & Weaste winning the Manchester Association title and reaching the semi-finals of the L.C.B. Cup. Naveed has always been a prolific scorer and this season was no different as he plundered the opposition attacks to amass 1079 league and cup runs at an average of 56.79. He also decimated several opposition batting line-ups as he took 73 wickets at a cost of just 11.63 with the prodigious turn of his left arm spinners.

MARK LEATHLEY (Hyde C.C. , Manchester G.S. Cheshire U19s &England U19s) Seam bowler Mark Leathley of Hyde C.C. and Manchester G.S. capped a fine season with a call-up to play for England Under 19s against Australia at Harrogate in August. He captained the Cheshire County League's Under 18s to victory in the North West Colts Trophy and was named Young Player of the Year by the County League, in addition to being named Under 19 Bowler of the Year at Cheshire Youth Cricket's annual awards.

JOE SCUDERI (Colne C.C. and Italy) Lancashire have offered 30-year-old all-rounder Joe Scuderi a two year contract subject to his registration being approved by the ECB. Joe was born and brought up in South Australia of Italian parents and has an Italian passport. He played for Italy on their recent UK tour and he is hoping to be classified as an EU citizen and as such not an overseas player. Having played in the Lancashire League since the age of 19, most recently for Colne, for whom he scored 1000 runs and took 71 wickets, Joe is confident he can succeed at first-class level.

JOHN OWEN (Ockbrook & Borrowash C.C.) In a season where Ockbrook swept the board in Derbyshire, there were several outstanding individuals in an outstanding team. But the consistency of former Derbyshire batsman Johnny Owen takes some beating. He passed fifty fifteen times, twice going on to three figures and amassed 1206 runs in total at an average of 86.14. In addition his professionalism showed through in the high standard of his fielding as he took seventeen catches. Derbyshire's loss was certainly Ockbrook & Borrowash's gain.

IAN WRIGGLESWORTH (Macclesfield C.C.) Australian Ian Wrigglesworth had such a successful season in the Cheshire County League that his club Macclesfield became known as 'Wrigglesfield' in some quarters. The Victorian all-rounder scored over 1200 runs and took 70 wickets as his club achieved the League and Cup double. Ian himself did a 'double' of his own by being named Player of the Year to go with his cup final Man of the Match award. He signed off in fine style, completing his maiden Macclesfield century with the match-winning hit on the last day of the season.

© 1999