Popular former Keswick professional Geeth Kumara will be back in local action on Monday in the Cumbria Cricket League’s Higson Cup.
After 10 years with the Keswick club Kumara wanted a new challenge and signed for Colne this season in the Lancashire League. He scored 78 for them last weekend when they narrowly lost a run-chase against local rivals Nelson.
He has been recruited by Whitehaven for their local derby against Cleator as a sub-professional because their new professional is currently nursing a broken hand.
Zimbabwean international Timycen Maruma suffered the injury earlier this month and is likely to be out of action for another three weeks. But he arrived in the UK this week and is going to coach at Whitehaven until he’s fit to play.
Kumara knows the Cumbria League scene well and will be a valuable sub pro against a Cleator side who have just welcomed their new professional to the club.
Kasun Madushanka, an opening quick bowler, hadn’t arrived for last Saturday’s game at home to Millom but will make his debut in Saturday’s league game at Dalton.
Meanwhile for Saturday’s home game in the league with local rivals Egremont. Whitehaven have booked the Pakistani all-rounder Faisal Hussain who was a professional last year for Stayley where he took 38 wickets with a best of 6-64.
The top match in the Cumbria Cricket League Premier Division on Saturday is likely to be at Edenside.
Two of the teams who opened the season with impressive victories – Carlisle and Keswick – come up against each other.
Carlisle did well to beat Cockermouth after the hosts had started the game with a century opening partnership, but a well-placed response led by Ben Davidson (75no) and professional Michael Slack (65) saw them through to a four-wicket win.
Keswick, on the other hand, had a clear-cut win by 136 runs at home to Dalton when all eyes were on their new professional.
Risith Upamal has a hard act to follow in Geeth Kumara who was part of the furniture at Fitz Park for ten years. But the new boy impressed with an unbeaten 104 and 2-15 off seven overs and it looks as though Kumara has recommended well.
Wigton got off the mark at newly-promoted Egremont and stage their first home game when Cockermouth are the visitors.
At 56-5, Wigton weren’t in a good place but got to 210-6 largely through the efforts of John Reed (65no) and pro Chris Hodgson (58) and eventually won by 74 runs.
New overseas amateur Javon Grosvenor looks as though he will be a highly entertaining and positive batsman for Egremont for although he just made 14 they came from a six and two fours!
As for overseas amateurs, Cockermouth have been unable to use their signing Asad Afridi who arrived last week only to be told he couldn’t play.
Although initially cleared to play by the league it appears that because he played a one-day list A game in 2019 he is ineligible for Cockermouth. Afridi now faces a return trip home to Pakistan.
In the south of the county, Millom go head-to-head with champions Furness with both sides boosted by victories on the opening day.
Workington beat Whitehaven in their local derby last week and follow up at Haverigg.
