PRAVIN TAMBE RETURNS TO RAINFORD

Date: 3rd December 2014

A Paul Edwards copyright exclusive for L&DCC Official Website.

IPL man will travel from Royals to Rainford in May

Despite his current commitment to the IPL side Rajasthan Royals, Pravin Tambe will be returning to Rainford for the 2015 season.

The 43-year-old leg-spinner and right-hand bat, who achieved a lifetime ambition when he was selected to make his Ranji Trophy debut for Mumbai only a year ago, will again be gracing the grounds of the Med Imaging Liverpool Competition and playing at the Jubilee Recreation Ground for what he has described as his “family club”.

Tambe has previously played for Rainford in the five seasons from 2007 to 2011. In the last of these, which was also the club’s first foray in the Premier Division, he scored 627 runs at an average of 36.88 and took 48 wickets.

After his planned season with Rainford in 2013 was halted with his surprise call up to the Rajasthan Royals It was really no secret that Rainford were keen for Tambe to return. It is also not particularly surprising that this very loyal cricketer will be coming back to the place where he has been so happy. Tambe is to be included in the Royals set up this year, skippered by Shane Watson and will arrive in Rainford in May depending on his team’s progress.

Club chairman John Williams said: “Everyone is delighted that Pravin is returning. When the 2015 IPL dates came out it was a fairly straightforward issue for us. Pravin has many friends here both at the club and in the village, and importantly for him, he knows he is playing a good standard of cricket. He is really looking forward to coming back and testing himself over here once again “.

Williams also disclosed that Rainford have elected Paul Farrar as their new first team captain. Farrar joined the club last season from Warrington and scored 561 runs in last season’s Division One campaign when his side failed by just two points to reach the Premiership.