In 2022 Ashton Cricket Club had the perfect season, 22 games and 22 wins. It saw them win promotion and, not resting on their laurels, officials immediately started planning for 2023.
They recognised that the Club’s objective of moving up the league, after what had been an unhappy first 4 seasons in the GMCL, .would require a strengthening of the team. It led to a quick move to sign an overseas professional.
Alwyn Williams will be the paid man at Rayner Lane this year. Hailing from Jamaica, the 29 year old is hard hitting left handed batter and right arm fast medium bowler.
Over the last couple of years he has broken into the Jamaica Scorpions national team having had an outstanding record in the intra-island competitions. He featured in the Jamaica team which won the West Indies 50 over competition last November.
Williams is the first overseas pro at the Club since Chami Edirisinghe in 2017.and looks to be a real capture for Ashton.
Speaking at the Club AGM last Sunday David Mellor, Ashton President, who has stepped down after a 6-year stint, reflected on his time in office. “Back in 2017 the Club Committee set out on a plan to progress. We needed to rebuild the cricket section; develop juniors, improve our facilities and compete at a higher level.
Since then, we have invested significantly in our facilities; seen juniors develop and move into senior cricket and last season saw the rewards of this. Moving forward to the next level we have recognised that a young team will need an experienced player who will not only contribute on the field but also be actively involved in the junior section. We feel that Alwyn will fit this bill admirably”.
It will be Williams first stint in England and he will be looking to gain experience of the conditions and help Ashton to push for successive promotions.
Club captain Dan Hawthorne added, “Alwyn is a hugely ambitious cricketer who wants to go as far as possible in the game. He wants to gain experience in England and we are not only glad to be able to offer him that opportunity but also to have someone of his ability and attitude in our team. I’m really excited at the prospects for this year as we look forward to a successful season and the further improvement and development of a team which has showed so much promise”.
Ashton’s campaign begins on April 22nd with a home game against Worsley, who will be visiting Rayner Lane for the first time. The Cup draw pitches them against Milnrow – a renewal of an old CLL rivalry.