CRICKET PREVIEW: The best summer signings, the saddest departures

Ashley Rodgers is returning to full-time cricket with Ketton.

The Peterborough Telegraph’s annual guide to our leading clubs this summer.

A full preview of the Lincs Premier is already online at www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk. The Lincs Premier Division starts tomorrow (April 16) with games for Bourne at Louth and Market Deeping at home to Sleaford (noon starts).

A full preview of the Northants Premier Division and the Cambs League will be online at www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk on Sunday (April 17). The Northants and Cambs Leagues start on Saturday. April 23.

Ashley Fisher has moved to Market Deeping from Newborough.

BOURNE

Main league: Lincs Premier Division.

Captain: Pete Morgan.

Ins: Matt Kidd (Swindon), Ben Collins (Uppingham).

Zeeshan Manzoor has moved from Oundle to Ketton.

Outs: Conrad Louth (Berkshire).

One to watch: The captain speaks very highly of Kidd, a fast bowler and classy bat.

Club comment: “I’m hoping for a top three finish,” Morgan.

PT prediction: They’ll get top three if the rest of the team can back up Morgan’s class with the bat.

KETTON

Main league: Cambs Division One.

Captain: Rob Vitas.

Ins: Zeeshan Manzoor (Oundle), Peter Rowe (Hampton), Lee Thompson (Woolpit), Ashley Rodgers (unattached).

Outs: Rob Woolley (Chipstead).

One to watch: Manzoor is one of the biggest hitters in club cricket. Pit Lane won’t be big enough for him. In fact the village of Ketton won’t be big enough for him.

Club comment: “I’d take ninth and safety right now,” Vitas.

PT prediction: 10th.

MARCH TOWN

Main league: Cambs Division Two.

Captain: Tyler Phillips.

Ins: Sam Freedman (Australia), Adam Morris (Birmingham).

Outs: Ash Vodnala (New Zealand), Callum Young (work commitments), David Hodson (work commitments).

One to watch: The new skipper reckons evergreen left-arm seamer Chris Ringham will be a key man at the lower level.

Club comment: “We have as good a chance as anyone to win the league, if we get our strongest side out every week,” Phillips.

PT prediction: Can’t see them finishing lower than third.

MARKET DEEPING

Main league: Lincs Premier Division.

Captain: David Gillett.

Ins: Dan Bendon (Rushton), Ashley Fisher (Newborough), Pat Harrington (Spalding), Zac Simmonds (Australia), Ross Harris (Newborough).

Outs: Tom Andrews (Surrey), Ajaz Akhtar (Peterborough Town), Emile Kriek (South Africa).

One to watch: Bendon is a highclass, all-round recruit.

Club comment: “We want a top-half finish for sure, but we’re capable of doing even better,” Gillett.

PT prediction: Top four only if the wickets take spin.

NASSINGTON

Main league: Cambs Division One.

Captain: Alex Laud.

Ins: Adam McDermott (Australia).

Outs: Ryan Duffy (New Zaeland), Kasim Ikhlaq (Ramsey).

One to watch: Harrison Craig is a superb young slow left-arm bowler who ought to be playing Minor Counties cricket this summer.

Club comment: “The new rules should suit us. I’m expecting another high-end finish,” Laud.

PT prediction: Mid-table, unless the Aussie is a class act.

NEWBOROUGH

Main league: Cambs Division One.

Captain: Alistair Greenwood.

Ins: Joe Malton (Baston), Kyeran Ellery (Australia).

Outs: Ashley Fisher (Market Deeping), Ross Harris (Market Deeping 2nds), Robbie Trickett (Australia).

Club comment: “Staying up is the priority so the younger lads need to kick on and contribute more,” Greenwood.

PT prediction: The Bulls will be in a relegation dogfight.

OUNDLE

Main league: Northants Premier Division.

Captain: Bashrat Hussain.

Ins: Tshepo Moreki (South Africa).

Outs: Zeeshan Manzoor (Ketton), Petrus Jeftha (South Africa), Alex Martin (Surrey).

One to watch: It has to be Moreki who has Petrus Jeftha’s big shoes to fill.

Club comment: “A mid-table finish is a realistic prediction,” Hussain.

PT prediction: The skipper should get his wish as long as the new import is as good as he suspects.

PETERBOROUGH TOWN

Main league: Northants Premier Division.

Captain: David Clarke.

Ins: Ajaz Akhtar (Market Deeping).

Outs: Paul McMahon (injured).

One to watch: David Sayer, fully fit now and raring to bowl fast again after a year on the sidelines.

Club comment: “We will be competitive at the top end of the table,” Clarke

PT prediction: Tough to win the league without McMahon, but there is a lot of talent there. Title contenders for sure.

RAMSEY

Main league: Cambs Division One.

Captain: Michael Cafferkey.

Ins: Blake Mills (Australia), Sam Kingston (Australia), Sam Latchford (Warboys), Lee Craig (Army), Kasim Ikhlaq (Nassington)

Outs: Joe Barningham (Australia), Trent Goers (Australia).

One to watch: The captain is a top-class all-rounder at this level.

Club comment: “We have a chance of winning it. Saffron Walden will be favourites, but our team spirit helps us win games we shouldn’t,” Cafferkey.

PT prediction: Top two, might even be champions.

UFFORD PARK

Main league: Cambs Division Two.

Captain: Andy Larkin.

Ins: Nick Bradbury (Orton Park), Tas Ahmed (Khalsa).

Outs: Tom Cooper (travelling), Alex Emerson (travelling).

One to watch: Two to watch are Larkin and Ross Keymer, a hard-htting batting double act.

Club comment: “We’re excited to be playing Cambs League cricket for the first time. Our aim is to survive,” Larkin.

PT prediction: It will a struggle, but they should score enough runs to stay up.

WISBECH TOWN

Main league: Cambs Division One.

Captain: Sam Albutt.

Ins: Jack Hargreaves (Australia).

Outs: No-one.

One to watch: Hargreaves bats high and bowls leg-spin, perfect for a pro.

Club comment: “We want promotion, but Saffron Walden will be a tough team to beat,” Albutt.

PT prediction: Can’t see them emulating last season’s high finish.