IT'S CROFT PLUS FOUR MORE AS LYTHAM GEAR UP FOR NEW SEASON

Date: 30th January 2017

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

All change at Church Road.

As previously announced Lancashire Captain Steven Croft will be playing for Lytham in the Liverpool Competition next season - whenever his county commitments permit him to do so.

The Fylde club’s success in persuading the Red Rose skipper to sign for them is an indication of their desire to improve on their ninth place in 2016 and an indication that the standard in the ECB Premier League may be even higher this summer as a clutch of clubs seek to prevent Leigh retaining their title.

But Croft will not the only new signing at Church Road next season. Lytham have also recruited the 27-year-old opening batsman Michael Guptill-Bunce, the cousin of the New Zealand Test cricketer, Martin Guptill, and new skipper Danny Edwards hopes these marquee signings - two of the busiest in what has been a hectic close-season - will enable his team to meet the challenges thrown down by the likes of Northern, Formby and Leigh.

“We found out that Steven moved to the area a few months ago and he has agreed to join us,” he said. “We’re hoping he can play six or seven games for us but that will depend on his Lancashire commitments and we’re delighted to have him with us even if he can only play one or two games.

“Michael Guptill-Bunce comes to us on the glowing recommendation of Peter Fulton, who played for us a few years ago, and we’re very pleased with that signing, but we’ve also re-signed wicketkeeper James McDonough from Vernon Carus. James played half a season for us in 2015 and he’s a talented cricketer who wants to give it another crack and we’re very happy to have him back.

We’ve also recruited Alex Moore, a batsman who used to play for Lincolnshire Under 19s, from Myerscough College. Michael Guptill-Bunce and Alex can both bowl a bit of spin, so we’re going to have a lot of slow bowling options, a good solid batting line-up and Toby Lester bowling pace.

“I don’t want to set expectations too high because other teams have made a lot of signings in the past and not competed as they should, but I think we have the strength of squad, ability and options to do well this year.”

Stop Press: Lytham have now added a fifth signing to those mentioned above. Josh Holden, a tall seam-bowling all-rounder has been recruited from Freckleton.