GRAPPENHALL have made two important signings to strengthen their squad ahead of the forthcoming cricket season.
All-rounder Tom MacRory is joining from New Zealand and former Lancashire Academy batsman Arav Shetty – another all-rounder – is moving to the Broad Lane club from Urmston.
Grappers believe both players will strengthen their 1st XI squad and stand them in good stead for their return to the ECB Premier division following promotion last year.
MacRory, 28, a left-hand batsman who bowls off-spin, has played for Canterbury in New Zealand.
Shetty, 18, has played a number of games for Lancashire 2nd – scoring 69 not out against Derbyshire 2nd last season. He is a right-hand batsman and also bowls off-spin.
The pair – along with Grappenhall’s strong performers from last year – should enable the club to compete week in, week out in the top division this summer.
Pete Barnes will continue as 1st XI skipper while Graeme Rowlands and Dave Tully will continue as 2nd and 3rd XI captains.
More young players are also coming on stream so the club is expecting them to flood all the senior teams.
Grappers 1st XI start their season at home to Toft on Saturday April 22, then travel to Widnes the following weekend. The 2nd XI host Widnes in the first week whilst the 3rd XI gets their T20 cup campaign off on the first Sunday of the season, 23rd April, away to Davenham.
The 1st XI have been paired in a T20 cup group with local neighbours Warrington and Northwich as Grappers looks to progress in the competition and has aspirations to pick up the club’s first silverware for several years.
