Devon Cricket Board - Torquay & Plymouth

Torquay & Plymouth

TORQUAY have strengthened their squad for their return season in the Premier Division with three major signings.
New additions at the Recreation Ground include Brandon Handley, Aqeel Ahmed and Max Waller.
Handley (20) is a South African with a UK passport and has been to this country for the past two seasons.
He had a successful year in the Wiltshire Premiership with Lechlade, scoring more than 800 runs at an average of 70,followed by a summer of Yorkshire Premier cricket with Appleby & Frodingham.
In 2011, Handley topped 500 runs in one of the strongest leagues in the country.
“He is a very talented and driven individual who has already displayed his quality in indoor sessions since arriving,” said Torquay skipper Justin Yau.
“I have no doubt that he will prove to be a big hit in Devon for Torquay.”
In Aqeel Ahmed, Torquay have a proven performer who has taken more than 450 Premier and A Division wickets, mostly with Barton but also at Brixham.
“Aqeel is one of the best spinners to have graced the Premier Division and will be an exceptional addition,” said Yau.
“He has had an encouraging year in first-class cricket in Pakistan, which suggests to me he is back to his best.”
Waller, a leg-spinning all-rounder, toured the West Indies with Yau with West of England U15s and the two have remained mates since.
Somerset have first call and Waller, who has also turned out for his home county of Dorset in Minor Counties cricket.
“The standard of the Devon Premiership is extremely high and playing for a club like Torquay will be great preparation for the one-day and T20 formats, where I’m likely to play a part for Somerset this season,” said Waller.
Yau accepts there may be games when Waller is missing, but that is the price you pay for recruiting a quality player.
“Max will add a wealth of experience, professionalism and quality to our team,” said Yau.
“We realise we may miss him for periods due to his selection for Somerset, particularly in the one-day and T20 competitions. Whatever we do see of him will be a huge bonus and can only make us stronger.”
Torquay have also signed New Zealand all-rounder Daman Singh as an overseas player for the 2nd XI team.
Singh is a lively opening bowler and top order batter and will enhance the 2nd XI’s ambitions of promotion this season.
Yau’s 1st XI won promotion unbeaten last year and he is keen to carry that momentum into the new campaign.
“We want to consolidate our status in the Devon Premier Division and ensure we are a force in the top tier.
“Crucial lessons in tough environments have been learned over a roller-coaster four years and I hope the experiences gained will stand us in good stead for 2012.
“No one will work harder than us this season and I’m hoping our workmanlike and cohesive team ethic will see us go a long way in 2012.”

PLYMOUTH, at home to Torquay tomorrow, are taking a wait-and-see approach to the season ahead.
Callum Whittaker’s city slickers were halfway down the table last season, which was lower than they should finished with the talent at Mount Wise.
Not enough of the talent was consistent – Dave Burke and overseas Doug Hewitt accepted – but Whittaker saw plusses elsewhere.
Lads like Sam Stein and Harry Barnes had good introductions to Premier cricket last year with the ball, in addition to batters like Ben Stein and Jake Lufman making good progress,” said Whittaker.
“Now we have a heap of depth to pick from as our younger players in the 2^nd XI are really banging on the door for a place in the side.
With regards for targets, the usual applies. Play good cricket and see where we are at the halfway stage. As long as the lads are enjoying their cricket we will be fine.
“Everyone is very keen to get the year started and hopefully we can do it with a bang against Torquay.
“They are a good bunch of lads and we are looking forward to taking them in again... weather permitting of course.
New to Mount Wise for 2012 are all-rounder Rob Bennett from Yelverton and Harry Bennett from Corwood.
Andy Birkett is back with the club again – having concentrated on rugby in recent seasons – and is doing a bit it coaching.

Chris Barr, who was Plymouth’s overseas player in 2008, has retuned from Australia to have another go.

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