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SPCL Div 2 - Middleton to strap on the pads in Academy cause
Mike Vimpany - 3 May 2002
Tony Middleton will be strapping on his pads for the first time in almost five years when he leads the new Hampshire Academy XI into Southern Electric Premier League action against Division 2 rivals Sparsholt on the Rose Bowl Nursery ground on Saturday, 1pm.
But Middleton, who scored over 5,000 First Class runs for Hampshire prior to his retirement in 1995, plans to bat well down the order and allow his young, relatively inexperienced charges do the hard work.
Ian Brunnschweiler, James Schofield and off-spinner Irfan Shah are the three full-time professionals in Middleton's team, which has seven teenagers, including 15-year old Peter Hammond, from Sarisbury Athletic.
Ironically Middleton's rival captain will be his old adversary, Rob Savage, who is to take charge of Sparsholt this summer.
"Rob and I go back a long way - to the days when we both played in the Southern League's Under-25 side - but it's ages since we played against each other," Middleton chuckled.
Former Hambledon batsman Archie Norris makes his debut for newly promoted Winchester KS, who face a tough opener against United Services at Burnaby Road. But Sussex pace bowler Billy Taylor, on current duty in the Benson & Hedges Cup zonal matches, is not expected to play against a reshaped US side.
Lymington's Western Australian all-round import Aaron Heal plays under new skipper Danny Peacock in the demanding visit to Hungerford, who were relegated last season.
Hampshire's Jason Laney will open for Hungerford, who have also snapped up former Sussex wicketkeeper Nick Wilton. Also playing for the former Southern League champions will be ex-Bournemouth seam bowler Paul Warren and left-hander Steve Wyatt, who has returned to the Berskhire club after a short stay at nearby Falkland.
It's very much as you were for Old Tauntonians & Romsey, whose 2002 make-up shows little change, except as skipper Stuart Tulk puts it : "We're all another year older."
OTs host newly promoted Rowledge, who grabbed the Division 3 runners-up spot behind Winchester last season after ten straight wins.
But skipper Dave Booton is worried that university commitments may seriously weaken an initial Rowledge challenge at the higher level.
"We've got five or six lads away for the college term and they won't be back until mid-June," he explained.
Trojans go into the potentially 'spikey' clash with Easton & Martyr Worthy minus knee injury victim Giles Lancaster, whose run contribution will be sorely missed this summer. But Lancaster plans to give skipper Simon Williams some technical backing from the sidelines.
"I'll be bringing my lap top along to the games and doing an few analytical things for the lads, which should help out.
"I can't see myself playing for some time. I've virtually had my knee rebuilt, Lancaster explained.
Easton, who face a Wadworth 6X Village Championship replay against Flamingo at Cockets Mead on Sunday, parade Australian newcomer Francis Gilly.
© Michael Vimpany
| Players/Umpires | Tony Middleton, Iain Brunnschweiler, James Schofield, Irfan Shah, Robert Savage, Billy Taylor, Daniel Peacock, Jason Laney, Nicholas Wilton, Paul Warren, Steve Wyatt. |
| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |