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Cricket preview: Seven promotions in nine seasons puts Khalsa up against Cambs big boys
KHALSA'S amazing journey through the ranks of local cricket has peaked with their arrival in Cambs Division One.
KHALSA'S amazing journey through the ranks of local cricket has peaked with their arrival in Cambs Division One.The city-based side have won an astonishing seven promotions in nine seasons since their formation as a Hunts Division Five club.
Last season Khalsa recorded a best-ever third-place finish in Cambs Division Two, but a re-organisation of the leagues meant that was good enough for a place among the big boys in the county.
Khalsa open with a trip to Wisbech where they hope to give a debut to former Peterborough Town all-rounder Tariq Aziz who spent last season helping Nassington to the title.
Khalsa secretary/opening batsman Kirpal Singh said: "We are excited by the prospect of playing in Division One. We have done really well as a club as seven promotions in nine years would suggest.
"It's a credit to all the players, coaches, volunteers, youths and parents of the youths. We will have much the same team as last season with the addition of Tariq."
No predictions were forthcoming from Khalsa, but Nassington are certain to remain the team to beat. Their combination of talented youngsters like Harry Chappell and Chris Budd alongside high-class veterans like Jon Potter and Haroon Mohammed proved an irresistible combination last summer.
And the villagers have strengthened with the signing of Pakistani paceman Nadeem Javed, a first-class seamer who played alongside Haroon at Market Deeping several years ago.
Haroon said: "We did very well last season. Nadeem will be a good signing, but the youngsters hold the key. As well as Budd and Chappell, the likes of Alex Bandaranaike, Alex Martin and Qadir Mohammed have been looking in very good form in the nets."
Wisbech finished with a rare rattle last summer to pip Burwell and local enemy March to second spot. Captain Gary Freear is confident his team can go one better.
Freear, who has relinquished the captaincy of Cambs in the Minor County Championship because of work commitments, said: "If the season had gone on two weeks longer I'm convinced we would have won the title. We looked very strong in the final weeks and if we can get into that sort of form straight away we will have a good chance.
"Nassington will be the team to beat though."
Wisbech have attracted a couple of Tasmanians to Harecroft Road, while March's Aussie paceman Steve Seymour is returning to Burrowmoor Road for a second successive summer.
Ramsey have signed a giant opening bowler from South Australia to bolster their chances of a high finish, while in Division Two Castor have taken the novel step of signing a rugby team.
Star Peterborough Lions rugby player Rob Vitas also skippers Castor and he's persuaded some of his overseas winter team-mates to sign up at Port Lane.
Yaxley will again offer plenty of heart and commitment under inspirational skipper Stuart Elderkin, and there's a welcome return to Cambs League cricket for Barnack. They won the Hunts Division One title last season, despite fielding just 10 men in many matches to win promotion to Cambs Division Two
The Cambs League season starts this Saturday.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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