How to step in for Procter for Royton (From The Westmorland Gazette)

How to step in for Procter for Royton

5:41pm Wednesday 29th June 2011 in Cricket

KENDAL's Jamie How will play for Royton in their John Willie Lees Wood Cup semi-final showdown with Walsden, this weekend.

New Zealand Test right-hand batsman How, currently paid man for Kendal in the Northern League, will play for Royton on Sunday, with Luke Procter expected to be called up to Lancashire's T20 squad.

And the 30-year-old, captain of Central Districts in New Zealand, goes into the semi-final in prime form, having hit an unbeaten 157 for Kendal in their victory over Fleetwood on Saturday. He also scored 131 against Morecambe the previous weekend.

And, in an ironic twist of fate, that could mean the all-rounder facing Chesney Hughes, who made a huge contribution as deputy professional for Procter in Royton's Wood Cup quarter-final victory over Norden.

Procter's absence on Sunday prompted Royton to look for a high-quality replacement and How certainly fitted the bill.

He averages 22.70 in the rarefied atmosphere of Test cricket and 29.05 in one-day internationals.

His record for Kendal is impressive.

In 13 league matches, he is averaging 51.18, while four cup games have yielded an average of 79.33.

Although batting is his forte, How will also provide Royton skipper Alan Durose with a valuable off spin option.

Recent pitches at the Paddock have yielded turn, so How could feasibly be as important with the ball as with the bat.