The kids are alright at Anston

Anston skipper Martyn Long has lauded the progress of his side’s youngsters after a third of the Bassletaw Cricket League season.
Worksop Cricket Club v Anston Cricket Club.  Anston bowler Josh Littlewood (w130504-4j)Worksop Cricket Club v Anston Cricket Club.  Anston bowler Josh Littlewood (w130504-4j)
Worksop Cricket Club v Anston Cricket Club. Anston bowler Josh Littlewood (w130504-4j)

Several teenagers have made the step up from second team cricket to feature for the Championship side, who sit fifth in the table with seven games played.

Long, a veteran of the league, wants to guide his young squad to a top six finish by September.

He told the Guardian: “It’s been a bit up and down, but with a young squad it’s to be expected.”

Worksop Cricket Club v Anston Cricket Club.  Anston bowler Josh Littlewood (w130504-4g)Worksop Cricket Club v Anston Cricket Club.  Anston bowler Josh Littlewood (w130504-4g)
Worksop Cricket Club v Anston Cricket Club. Anston bowler Josh Littlewood (w130504-4g)

“We’ve had a few good performances and we’re in a good position in the league, we’re there or there abouts.”

“We want to be in the top six come the end of the season.”

The Ryton Road men have only suffered one outright loss this season, so the introduction to top level local cricket hasn’t been too harsh for the Anston kids.

Long said the club were keen to give them the best possible start to life in the Championship.

Long said: “There’s quite a big step up from second team cricket, with the introduction of professionals etcetera.”

“But we’ve got the young lads around the first team squad, made sure they’re training with the right people and had them in nets sessions.”

“Everyone is picked purely on merit, so they’re all there because they deserve to be.”

And there have been some success stories already this season.

The captain explained: “Josh Littlewood didn’t really get a bowl under the previous captain, but he’s first change bowler for us and took four wickets last weekend.”

“Josh Marsh has batted really well, scored quite a few runs, and Andrew Pickering has started to score, he was 58 not out on Saturday.”

It hasn’t just been the younger players grabbing the headlines however, with professional Amila Perera and Long himself starring on Bank Holiday Monday with 144 and 114 runs respectively.

“The team made 367, it’s definitely the highlight of the season so far.”

Anston are hoping to create another highlight performance on Saturday when they host the league’s bottom side Cuckney II, who are winless in seven outings.

“We would hope for 20 points,” Long added.