Season previews with the Barnsley teams in the ECB Yorkshire Premier South and SYL Championship
CAWTHORNE
Cawthorne were relegated from the top flight in 2022 but bounced straight back last year.
They have signed Pakistan international Danish Aziz as their overseas player. He played two One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 games for his country in 2021.
They have also brought back Yorkshire fast bowler Ben Cliff who will play when not needed by the county. Captain Mike Jepps said: “The first objective is to stay in the league. Last time we beat teams we weren’t expected to then lost to teams around us which didn’t help.
“We will go into it with a lot more optimism and confidence this time. We have most of the same squad, and we have learned lessons.
“We need to be better in crunch moments in games. We’re a small village club competing against bigger clubs like Barnsley. We’re punching above our weight but feel we can compete.”
ELSECAR
Elsecar finished one place above the relegation zone last season in the Premier Division. Their overseas star Taruwar Kohli has been replaced by fellow Indian Samarpit Joshi.
Former Yorkshire bowler Moin Ashraf has left following an operation and to begin a coaching career.
They have brought in Henry Renshaw, a six foot four left-arm seamer.
An Elsecar statement said: “The first team will be looking to consolidate and not to be looking over their shoulder again. Hopefully we see the emergence of a number of the youngsters in all the sides which will only improve the club.”
WATH
Wath are looking to improve on last season’s ninth-placed finish in the Championship, while they also lost in the Twenty20 final to Cawthorne.
They have signed South African Hayden Byrne as overseas player while bringing in Matthew Bowering from Houghton Main and James Wainwright from Monk Bretton.
Wath’s Rob Barlow said: “We are extremely excited for the 2024 season.
“It’s our 125th birthday, so we have a number of big days planned throughout the year. We are aiming to bring a trophy to Moor Road this year.”
HOUGHTON MAIN
Houghton have been very close to promotion to the Premier Division in recent years – missing out on the top two by two points last season.
They have brought in Indian overseas Ritik Yadav who is a spin bowler and middle order batsman. They have also signed former Yorkshire schoolboys batter Zaki Anjam from Sheffield United. Adam Wiles has taken over as captain. They have also been hoping to sign two Afghan players who have been training with the club.
Houghton’s Michael Brown said: “There have been a few changes so it’s a case of suck it and see.
“We feel we have some good players but, more than anything, we are excited for cricket.”
ROCKINGHAM
Rock were promoted out of Division One last season.
They have brought in Sri Lankan all-rounder Lasith Lakshan and signed opening bowler Ali Shah from Treeton.
They have also registered Zimbabwean Johnson Marumisa, 41, who has previously played First Class cricket in his home country. They lost Haider Rasool to Rotherham Town and Lucas Slatter to Barnsley.
Captain Andrew Baker said: “We want to consolidate our position back in the Championship.
“We want all our teams to have a good successful and enjoyable season.”
