HYDE have a new captain as Danny Cranmer has taken over the first-team helm for the 2022 premier division campaign in the Cheshire County League.
The Denton-raised Cranmer, 31, who succeeds Tom Partridge who steps down after three years to focus on his batting, believes the club has a bright future ahead.
The former player for Cheshire in Minor Counties said: “I’m taking over the role at a very exciting time with a new generation of players.
“Hyde have some of the best young players in Cheshire. And with them already showing they can compete at this level and gaining valuable experience, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
Hyde continue to undergo a huge transition with a heavy emphasis on youth.
And the club is hoping the experience of last season, when Hyde finished eighth, will have helped the development of players like Ben Balderson, Charlie Barnard, James Chew, Keshana Fonseka and Noah Vickery.
Cranmer, a former professional at Denton St Lawrence, added: “The younger lads have had a full season of cricket behind them, and I expect them to kick on in what should be an exciting season.
“If we make a good start, who knows where the momentum will take us. There is such a lot of talent in the side, there is no saying what we could achieve. I certainly want us to finish a lot higher than eighth.”
Hyde have made two key signings, former Lancashire academy player Luke Young who has returned after one successful season at rivals Chester Boughton Hall and Andrew Jackson who has been described as one of Cheshire’s finest all-rounders. He has relocated after taking up a teaching posts at Manchester Grammar School.
Young, currently training with Worcestershire, and Jackson will help offset the loss of Cole Turner, Jason Whittaker and Jason Duffy.
Duffy, described as Hyde’s greatest ever home-grown player, has joined Chester Boughton Hall.
Turner has left for a new challenge at Formby while Jackson has joined Bolton club Egerton to play alongside his son.
Hyde have also signed 19-year-old Indian batsman Rohit Acharya, who is studying at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Sharma was spotted by Phil Balderson, who runs the university cricket team and is the father of Hyde players Ben and former star George, who is now on Lancashire’s book.
Cranmer, who joined Hyde aged 11, said: “Last season we did not have enough batting and the priority was to stay up.
“I was making lots of calls to players in other leagues to see if they fancied a new challenge.
“Then up popped Rohit which was a nice surprise and one I had not been expecting. He played representative cricket when he was younger, but now it has been club cricket just north of Mumbai.
“He has looked good in the nets and we will have to see how he adapts to the playing conditions here which are far different to those in India.”
Hyde are looking for a back-up wicketkeeper for Cheshire county player Adam Worrall.