ASHTON Cricket Club is already toasting treble success – but there is more reason to celebrate.
The Rayner Lane outfit’s first team added the Greater Manchester Cricket League’s John Barrow Trophy – the first longer form of the game cup triumph since capturing the Central Lancashire League’s Wood Cup back in 1965 – to the Greater Manchester T20 competition.
In the league, promotion from Division Three has been secured – but the striking feature of such a successful campaign is the huge turnaround since 2019.
After joining the GMCL in 2018 without a professional, with little money and an inexperienced team, Ashton CC suffered relegation.
That downward spiral sparked its committee into action as they sought a different approach to improve their fortunes.
Speaking to the Correspondent, chairman Stan Adshead said: “Our committee met back in 2021 and had a frank discussion as to why a club with a proud history in the CLL had been allowed to slide.
“Recognising we needed to strengthen on the field, we decided to engage a professional to bring more experience.
“It had become obvious that the structure and make-up of the GMCL made this necessary.
“It has certainly paid dividends but has been backed up by players who had grown up at Rayner Lane and needed the experience and ability of a professional to bring out the best in them.”
The club’s success in 2022 was spearheaded by professional Ruman Ahmed. Having led the side to an unbeaten 22-game season, he committed to the 2023 campaign and narrowly missed out on back-to-back promotions.
Unfortunately, Ashton were unable to retain his services for a third season as he relocated and sought a new challenge.
But any concerns regarding Ahmed’s replacement were soon quashed, as Vishva Chathuranga filled the void and has since become a real favourite among the players and officials.
The 25-year-old hard-hitting left-handed batsman has taken games by the scruff of the neck – none more so than in the trophy win.
Within eight overs, he had scored 68 in 35 balls – giving Ashton CC the platform for an imposing score.
It was his ninth half century of the season, to which he has added three centuries. He now has 1,249 runs, along with 46 wickets.
And with four games of the season remaining, he could potentially break all records for the 167-year-old club.
But even if he fails to achieve this feat, Vishi’s impact over the past six months has been rewarded with a new contract ahead of the 2025 campaign – much to the delight of first team captain Dan Hawthorne.
Speaking to The Correspondent, he said: “We are thrilled that Vishi will be back with us next year.
“We completed the formalities last week. He has not only shown what a quality and high performing cricketer he is but has fitted well into the club and is well regarded by both players and other members.
“We are delighted that he will be here as we look to meet the challenge which a higher division will pose”
Ashton’s success has not been a one man show – quite the opposite.
Hawthorne has led from the front, showing real leadership of the team and contributed 500 runs and 20 wickets.
The batting line-up has been boosted by the season long availability of Ramis Mustafa, who only played T20 in 2023. He has 962 runs and brings excellent wicket keeping skills.
Muhammed Zuhaib returned to Rayner Lane after an eight-year gap and has 40 wickets, while players who have been there for many years have stepped up, buoyed by the confidence of playing in a winning team.
Ahasan Shahzad, Tom Rayson, Bradley Wilshaw Phillips and Om Trivedi – who picked up the Man of the Match award in the Trophy final with a 5-26 return – have all made huge contributions.
Looking into the longer term, the development of 17-year-old Meeran Aziz gives great hope. Expected to play only a peripheral role at first team level this year, the left hander – turning out for the club’s first, second, third and U18 teams – has already totalled nearly 1,100 runs.
Hawthorne added: “Meeran’s development this year has been massive. We are looking forward to seeing him develop into a key player in future years.
“But I must pay credit to all the team who have played some great cricket with a real desire to win and can rightly enjoy the success they have achieved.”
An exciting climax to the season looks inevitable as the destination of the title looks as though it will run to the last day.
Ashton lead Prestwich by three points and the meeting on Saturday, September 14 will be pivotal.
If Hawthorne’s side captures its third piece of silverware in 2024, it is arguable that this will have been the most successful ever season.
Off the field, things are also progressing as Stan Adshead added: “Having taken the decision to effectively revive the club back in 2021, we have seen extensive investment in our facilities with the latest project being the construction of a patio area to replace what was a crumbling terrace.
“We will be hosting the Fields of Gold Festival across the weekend of September 6 and 7.
“This is a key event for us and has enabled us to take things forward in recent years.
“Having been a player, committee member and more recently chairman over a period of nearly 50 years, I am thrilled at what I have seen on the field but also hugely encouraged by what we have been able to do off it as well”