Sri Lanka ace Nishan Peiris can help Euxton exorcise the ghosts of the recent past
Captain James Bone believes professional Nishan Peiris could provide Euxton with the promotion X-Factor this summer.
The Balshaw Park outfit suffered heartbreak last season when they agonisingly missed out on a place in the top two in the Northern Premier Cricket League (NPCL) Division Two – finishing third in the final table.
They defeated Carlisle, who finished second, on the final day but St Annes’ win at Mawdesley meant they leapfrogged the Cumbrians to be crowned champions.
Delving deeper into last season, they lost by one wicket to St Annes at Vernon Road in August – a last-wicket partnership of 24 between Ryan Birkman (29) and Mitch Bolus (9) ultimately costing Euxton the title in the final reckoning.
Bone admits his men took a while to get over that near miss, but the spring in their step has returned.
They have won three league matches out of three, last weekend’s rained-off fixture against Fleetwood the only blemish so far in their scorebook.
The skipper admitted having someone of the calibre of Sri Lanka Test star Peiris in their ranks has been a big boost.
The 28-year-old spinner has 12 victims from three Tests and has already picked up 11 wickets for Euxton, with a best of 5-31.
"It’s just a great buzz for the players to play alongside someone like him,” said Bone. “It’s not only that, the juniors during practice nights, they ask for autographs.
"It’s just a great feeling around the club to have someone of that stature.
"Nish has been fantastic. He has been to the UK once before and he’s settled in really well.
"To have a Test match spinner in your side, I think no matter what you manage to put on the board with the bat, you no that there’s a good chance that you are going to be able to bowl the opposition out for less.
"I think all the lads are even more determined after what happened last year. We did have a good season – there were a lot of tight games.
"Ultimately losing to St Annes by one wicket was ultimately the title decider. It was pretty gutting but I am sure we will put that right.”
Bone expects Euxton’s unbeaten record in the league to come under threat this weekend when they head to Woodhill Lane to face Morecambe.
Euxton have won three out of three completed matches so far this in the league this summer – their home game against Fleetwood last weekend falling foul of the weather.
By contrast, Morecambe have endured a sticky start, winning just one of their opening three matches in their first season back at this level after winning the Palace Shield last year.
However, they thrashed reigning NPCL Division One champions Kendal in round one of the Lancashire Knockout Cup at home on Sunday. They routed the visitors for just 79, racing to victory for the loss of one wicket inside 15 overs.
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“I am expecting it to be a tough game at their place,” Bone said. “They are coming off the back of a fine season last year.
“They had a great win over Kendal on Sunday and will come into the match with confidence.”
NPCL Div One: Garstang v Longridge, Kendal v Carlisle, Leyland v Chorley, Settle v Blackpool, St Annes v Netherfield.
Div Two: Barrow v Thornton Cleveleys, Fleetwood v Lytham, Great Eccleston v Whalley, Morecambe v Euxton, Penwortham v F&B, Preston v Carnforth.
PS Champ: Burneside v Lancaster, Fylde v Eccleston, Heysham v Penrith, Netherfield v Mawdesley, Vernon Carus v Garstang, Westgate v Torrisholme