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S&B SIGN THE WRIGHT OVERSEAS MAN FOR 2017

Date: 18th December 2016

S&B SIGN THE WRIGHT OVERSEAS MAN FOR 2017

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

Aussie all-rounder joins Cunningham and MacDonald as Sandgrounders prepare for the Prem.

Southport and Birkdale’s long search for an overseas player capable of stiffening their challenge in next year’s ECB Premier League has ended with the signing of 19-year-old Australian all-rounder, Macalister Wright.
 
Currently playing for Tasmania Under 19s in the National Championships at Adelaide, Wright is a highly-rated top-order batsman who also bowls useful leg-spin. He is S&B’s third recruit of the close season, Chris Firth having already signed Chris Cunningham and Ashley Macdonald from Firwood Bootle.
 
“Mac agreeing to join us is a relief because I wasn’t sure we were going to get that signing over the line a couple of weeks ago,” said Firth. “It’s a bit of a coup because he’s a quality player who has been awarded a rookie contract with Tasmania for this Australian summer.
 
“Mac sees himself as a proper all-rounder and, while he will be a young cricketer learning his trade in English conditions, his bowling will be useful for us and he will be batting in the top four.”
 
Firth’s pleasure at signing Wright is understandable given that S&B were trailing Premier League clubs who had lined up their probable recruits before last season had even ended.
 
S&B’s chairman, Tony Elwood, was also quick to offer a warm welcome to the young Australian.
 
“Mac comes from the same stable as our 2010 overseas amateur, Ashton May, having played at the Weston Creek Molongo club, in Canberra for the past three seasons and for ACT Comets,” he said. 
 
“Like Ashton, he has a Tasmania contract and is now playing for the state's Under 19 team. He's a young lad and I don't want to overburden him with expectations, but he comes highly recommended and should fit into our side very well.”
 
As for Wright, himself, he was making no secret of his delight at the prospect of joining the many other Australians who deepened their cricketing education in the Liverpool Competition.    
 
“I can't wait to get over for an English summer,” he said. “It's been a dream of mine since I was a kid to play cricket in England, so I’m very keen to get over there.  I've heard mixed things about the English conditions, but really think the wickets will provide a great opportunity for me to improve my batting.
 
“Most people have told me there is a bit of juice in the wickets so the ball may move around a bit.  I don't know a whole lot about the Liverpool Competition but I have heard from a few players that it is  one of the stronger leagues in the country.
 
“So I’m really looking forward to it all, not only the different playing conditions but also the incredible life experience of living in a foreign country and meeting new people.”
 
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