CRICKET PREVIEW: Reprieve for Town stars ahead of big games

Star all-rounder Lewis Bruce and wicket-keeper Chris Milner have both received a suspended one-week ban for acts of dissent in a league game against Oundle at Bretton Gate on May 7. The ban will kick in if either player misbehaves in the next 12 months.

But they will both be available for tomorrow’s big game at Premier Division leaders Old Northamptonians tomorrow (June 18) and the home game with third-placed Finedon on June 25. Both are also clear to play in the Northants Twenty/20 Cup first round tie against Rushton next Friday (June 24).

Town have also successfully appealed against short suspensions handed out to second team players Bob Milne, Kieran Judd and Danny Oldham. Their bans have also been suspended for a year.

It’s been a distraction ahead of a battle between the Premier Division’s top two at Billing Road.

Clarke, who declined to comment on disciplinary matters, said: “It’s a massive game and one we will approach in good form and full of confidence.

“ONs have been a top side for years. They bat deep and bowl well. It’s a surprise thay haven’t challenged more strongly for the title in recent seasons.

“But they are going well this season and we will have to be at our best to get the win.we want.

“We have some key games coming up in three competitions, but we are ready for the challenges.”

Town are also due at Wisbech for a Jaidka Cup semi-final on Wednesday, June 22.

The other semi-final between Bourne and the winners of a delayed quarter-final between Oundle and Market Deeping has yet to be re-arranged. Oundle play Deeping in their last-eight tie at Milton Road on June 21.

Both semi-finals in the Stamford Charity Cup between Ketton and Market Deeping, and Barnack and Bourne must also be re-scheduled after washouts this week.

FIXTURES

Saturday, June 18

NORTHANTS LEAGUE

(noon) Premier Division: Old Northamptonians v Peterborough Town, Oundle v Rushton.

(1pm) Division One: Peterborough Town 2nds v Finedon.

(1pm): Division Three: Horton House 2nds v Oundle 2nds.

(1pm): Division Eight: Northampton Saints 4ths v Oundle 3rds.

LINCS PREMIER DIVISION

(noon) Premier Division: Market Deeping v Boston, Nettleham v Bourne.

CAMBS LEAGUE

(12.30pm) Division One: Ketton v Ramsey, Nassington v Saffron Walden, Wisbech v Blunham.

(12.30pm) Division Two: Kimbolton v Ufford Park, March v St Ives, Newborough v Huntingdon.

HUNTS LEAGUE

(1pm) Division One: Godmanchester 2nds v Stamford, Hampton v Eaton Socon 2nds, Ramsey 2nds v Waresley 2nds, Southill Park v Castor.

(1pm) Division Two: AK 11 v Nassington 2nds, Bharat Sports v Buckden, Orton Park v Barnack.

(1pm) Division Three: Houghton & Wyton v Hampton 2nds, Huntingdon 2nds v Ramsey 3rds, Sawtry v Biggleswade, Werrington v Newborough 2nds.

(1pm) Division Four: Blunham 3rds v Burghley Park 2nds, Bretton v Great Staughton, Castor 2nds v Ickwell 2nds, Falcon v Orton Park 2nds, Hemingford Park v Ketton 2nds, King’s Keys v Warboys 3rds.

SOUTH LINCS LEAGUE

(1.30pm) Premier Division: Boston v Market Deeping 2nds, Grantham 2nds v Long Sutton, Stamford v Spalding.

(1.30pm) Division One: Billingborough 2nds v Boston, Heckington v Welby Cavaliers, Moulton Harrox v Freiston, Spalding 2nds v Skegness 2nds.

(1.30pm) Division Two: Graves Park v Spalding 3rds, Long Sutton 2nds v Claypole.

Sunday, June 19

MINOR COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP

(11am, three days) Eastern Division: Cambs v Herts (at Saffron Walden).

RUTLAND LEAGUE

(1.30pm) Division One: Barnack v Stamford Town, Bourne v Nassington, Market Deeping v Ufford Park, Oundle v Peterborough Town, Wisbech v Uppingham.

Division Two: Castor v Newborough, Ketton v Uffington, Medbourne v King’s Keys, Whittlesey v March.

Division Three: Burghley Park v East Carlton, Stewart & Lloyds v Werrington, Weldon v Long Sutton.

Division Four: Nassington 2nds v Loddington, Orton Park v Kimbolton, Ramsey v Isham, Thrapston v Hampton.

Division Five: Alconbury v Market Deeping 2nds, Benefield v Castor 2nds, Mt Overton v Peterborough Town 2nds, Sawtry v Laxton.

Division Six: Hampton 2nds v Whittlesey 2nds, Newborough 2nds v Spalding, Uffington 2nds v Moulton Harrox 2nds, Ufford Park 2nds v Long Sutton 2nds.

Monday, June 20

STAMFORD KO SHIELD

(6pm) Semi-finals: Ketton v Barnack, Burghley Park v Ufford Park.

Tuesday, June 21

JAIDKA CUP

(6pm) Quarter-final: Oundle v Market Deeping.

Wednesday, June 22

JAIDKA CUP

(6pm) Semi-final: Wisbech v Peterborough Town.

Friday, June 24

NORTHANTS T20 CUP

(6pm): First round: Peterborough Town v Rushton.