Cuckney CC land professional duo as they chase a flying start

Cuckney Cricket Club have signed two overseas professional players in their bid to make a serious challenge for the Notts Premier League title this summer.
Cuckney's Richard Bostock.Cuckney's Richard Bostock.
Cuckney's Richard Bostock.

Dutch international Paul van Meekeren, who is currently out in Nepal playing in an international tri series, and South African Codi Yusuf, who should arrive just before the first game after quarantine, will spearhead their bowling as Cuckney try to make a rare flying start.

Vice captain Richard Bostock said: “As we have done for the past five or six years, we are preparing to put in a real challenge at the top of the table. Anything below third and we'd think we'd had a bad season.

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“We are aiming at the top of the table and our recruitment has shown that in signing two professionals. That is something we've lacked in previous years.

“They are a couple of opening bowling pros that can bat as well.

“We want to mount a challenge early on. Historically we think we have been pretty slow starters, so we're really looking to go at it in the first couple of game.

“We want to put a stamp down early on to say that we are here to challenge for the title.”

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In their first friendly, Cuckney were beaten by six wickets by Derbyshire club Denby at home on Saturday.

Cuckney made 217-9 in their 45 overs with James Hawley leading the way with an unbeaten 75.

Denby had knocked off the run inside 39 overs but, being a friendly, the clubs had already agreed to bowl the full 45 overs for both innings so Denby went on to score 267-4.

“There was a little bit of rustiness on show, but otherwise we ere in good shape,” said Bostock.

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“We rotated the batsmen and bowlers to see where people are at with their game.

“We'd only had two weeks of training – four sessions - and we looked in better shape than expected. It was just a long day to get through with it being that cold as well.”

This Saturday they travel to face NPL local rivals Mansfield Hosiery Mills in another friendly.

Hosiery Mills won by one wicket at Ilkeston Rutland in their friendly at the weekend.

Chasing 178-8 from 40 overs, Hosiery Mills made 190-9 in 36.5 overs, Adam Dobb top-scoring with 46 not out with 36 for Matt Dean and 35 not out for Stephen Gooding.