AINSDALE PROMOTION HOPES TAKE A KNOCK
Date: 25th June 2010
Ainsdale's hopes of achieving promotion have been hit by a ruling that their overseas professional Nadeem Javed will not be allowed to play for them this summer. Ian Cropper's side lie sixth in the Second Division of the Bridging Finance Liverpool Competition and were hoping to be boosted by the arrival of the Pakistani fast bowler - a player they signed last autumn - this weekend.
However, the league's cricket committee met on Tuesday night and appear to have scuppered the Southport side's plans. "Our view is that Nadeem Javed can't play for Ainsdale this season," said Acting Registration Secretary, Eric Hadfield. "Originally, overseas players had to have played for their clubs by May 31st, but we extended that to June 12th because of the difficulties clubs were having in getting visas etc. "It's unfortunate for Ainsdale but the player will be arriving after the date set." However, the Liverpool Road club are disputing the committee's ruling and are ready to take the matter further.
"We still haven't given up hope of Nadeem Javed turning out for us," said Dave Newcombe, Ainsdale's former skipper and the official who negotiates the engagement of the club's overseas players. "We've jumped through every hoop and gone through all the red tape. We'll be discussing the situation and seeing what can be done, even at this stage. We just want people to use their common sense." It is easy to see why Ainsdale are keen to have Javed in their line-up as soon as possible. The 25-year-old is reputed to be seriously quick but his arrival has been repeatedly delayed by the increasingly stringent regulations which govern the signing of overseas cricketers wishing to play the recreational game in England.
"With Nadeem in the side, we'll be well placed," said Ian Cropper. "We have a tight attack but it's not been the most penetrative recently." Ainsdale are at home to unbeaten leaders St Helens Recs tomorrow in one of the three games that brings together six of the league's top seven sides.
"The games we've played have always been competitive," said Cropper. "The standard has been good and teams don't lie down in this division, they battle on."
Paul Edwards Back to top
