Cricket - 'Legend' Whittle to face leaders Netherfield (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Cricket - 'Legend' Whittle to face leaders Netherfield

11:42am Saturday 7th May 2011 in Sport

TABLE-topping Netherfield are still without South African Brady Barends and may take the field without a professional for the visit of Carnforth this Saturday.

The visitors from down the road are also without pro Gareth Peddar, and have called upon 64-year-old Mel Whittle, a legend in Central Lancashire League cricket, to deputise.

The former Kearsley and latterly Oldham stalwart, has been coaxed out of retirement but is no back-number, having taken 100 wickets last season.

The Northern League website testifies: "Whittle, who won the CLL bowling prize in 2010, is one of the finest English bowlers ever to play league cricket and has captured 100 wickets in a season in three different leagues, the Bolton League, Saddleworth League and CLL.

"He briefly played for Blackpool earlier in his career but is perhaps best remembered for his time at Kearsley in the Bolton League.

"The silver tongue of former Carnforth chairman Mark Holmes tempted Whittle out of his short-lived retirement when Carnforth were faced with finding a 'like-for-like' replacement for Pedder who has not played first-class cricket.

"Under league rules Carnforth could not replace Pedder with a player who has played at a higher level of cricket."

Whittle will also deputise for Carnforth in their game at Chorley.

Meanwhile, Kendal have a Sunday home game against Lancashire Colts, who have opened with two victories against Fleetwood and champions Leyland, so a competitive match is in the offing.

It will be a first sight of Kendal's New Zealand pro Jamie How, who has flown in this week after representing New Zealand at the World Cup, and all eyes will be on his bow for Chris Miller's Shap Road outfit.