Todmorden skipper Andrew Sutcliffe has spread further light on the club’s decision not to re-sign Geeth Alwis as their professional for the 2014 season.
The Sri Lankan has scored 1056 runs at an average close to 60 and taken 62 wickets at less than 20 each, having a golden July with the bat when he scored 456 runs in four innings.
However, the Central Vale Park side are a disappointing 10th in the table after last Sunday’s 15-run defeat by Nelson and the suggestion is that Alwis has not won them enough games.
Sutcliffe said Alwis had done well but a likely retirement in the club’s amateur ranks meant they were looking for a different type of pro for next summer.
“Gideon Foster is due to retire, so next year we need to go in a different direction in terms of the skill set that the professional offers us,” he said.
“We are looking to get a seaming all-rounder which will balance our side out better once Foster departs.”
Sutcliffe said there were no names in the frame at this stage.
Todmorden put the finishing touches to their campaign on Sunday when they travel to last year’s champions Lowerhouse. Everyone is available.
Last Sunday Nelson batted first and scored 237 on a very good wicket at Centre Vale with 64 from ‘keeper Russell Bradley and 55 from pro Ryan Canning.
Sutcliffe said: “They scored lots of runs in the last 10 overs with some big sixes.
“When you are chasing a total like that you need a player to go on and score a big one which unfortunately didn’t happen. A few people got in and didn’t go on to capitalise.”
However, Sutcliffe was pleased with knocks from Kristian Garland (39), Freddie Priestley (26) and Ross Coates (35) in Tod’s 222 for nine, Bradley picking up five victims behind the stumps.
Todmorden seconds suffered a heavy defeat at Nelson.
Nelson made 176 with Chris Barker, Sam Foster and Hamza Bhatti taking two wickets each. Tod were progressing nicely in reply until Benjamin Pearson was run out for 34, triggering a collapse from 43 for one to 66 all out.