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Graham Hardcastle

Latest articles from Graham Hardcastle

Padiham captain Toby Burrows celebrating. Picture by Clive Lawrence Photography

Holders Padiham hope to be pitch perfect after hard winter
Hamer Cup champions Padiham are hoping for another successful summer in the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League.

New skipper Ross Sutton in batting action. Picture by Farnworth CC

New skipper Sutton targeting Hamer Cup joy for Farnworth
New captain Ross Sutton wants to see Farnworth challenge more regularly for Hamer Cup success - starting with his first season in charge at Bridgeman Park.

Indian bowler Nipun Gaikwad in his Wanderers shirt. Picture by Little Lever CC

Double joy for Wanderers-mad Indian bowler Nipun

Little Lever captain Josh Gent has revealed how eight-wicket star Nipun Gaikwad did not give him much choice but to bring him on to bowl during last Saturday’s opening day landslide win against Lostock in the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League’s Premiership.

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Farnworth wicket keeper Simon Booth is poised as Salesbury’s Garnett Tarr, who went on to make 98, prepares to play a shot Picture: Harry McGuire

Mather takes 10 wickets as NW Cricket League finally returns
A pair of remarkable bowling performances from Farnworth Social Circle’s Dave Mather and Little Lever’s Nipun Gaikwad kicked off this season’s delayed Anthony Axford North West Cricket League campaign with a bang on Saturday.

Lostock's base. Picture courtesy of Lostock CC

Lostock skipper Evans wants to pick up where they left off
Lostock versus Little Lever at Chew Moor Lane this Saturday (1pm) is second against first from last summer - there could hardly be a better way to open the second season of the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League.

Atherton Cricket Club’s clubhouse. Picture courtesy of Atherton CC

Welch has high hopes for success at Atherton
Captain Jack Welch says he is relishing the prospect of the two-division structure in the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League as his Atherton side get set to embark upon a Championship promotion push in 2024.

Tracey Brooks with Lancashire's George Lavelle after winning a Lancashire Cricket Community Unsung Hero award last year. Picture courtesy of NWCL

League puts plans in place to grow women’s cricket
The Anthony Axford North West Cricket League have taken the first steps in what they believe will be a five or six-year plan to create a successful female structure within the league.

Atherton CC's Higham Park home

Atherton hoping Shayne signing will spur side on
Captain Jack Welch is hoping Atherton’s new professional Shayne Moseley - the former West Indies Test batter - can bring a “buzz” to the Higham Park club and provide the missing ingredient which helps secure promotion.

Mack Spencer, left, alongside Ribb Wanderers head coach Bobby Denning. Picture courtesy of Ribblesdale Wanderers

Ribblesdale face tough task replacing amateur Needham
Hamer Cup champions Padiham have been picked out as realistic title challengers in next season’s Anthony Axford North West Cricket League Premiership division, writes Graham Hardcastle.

Little Lever with last season’s T20 trophy. Picture courtesy of Little Lever

Skippers expecting tougher league after the NWCL splits
Title-winning captain Josh Gent believes his Little Lever side will defend their Anthony Axford North West Cricket League crown in 2024 - as long as they turn up with the same attitude they did this season.