Cricket
A YOUNG batting star from India is coming to Barnard Castle Cricket Club this summer as their overseas professional.
If all goes according to plan, Samarth Seth will arrive early next month and stay until the end of the season in September.
Club president Stephen Brenkley said: “It’s been a fraught process to get this far in these turbulent times but the whole club is very excited about this.
“At 21, Samarth is young but he’s already had plenty of experience in Indian first-class cricket and has just been signed by Delhi, his home state, which shows what a top-notch performer he is.”
Seth’s name stood out among scores of players trawled throughout the winter. It was clear that the player, left-handed batsman and slow left arm bowler, could be exactly what was required for the club to launch a realistic challenge for their third NYSD league title in six years.
“We liked what we saw straight away and some more research showed that Samarth looks an extremely capable and confident batsman,” said Mr Brenkley.
“It’s always difficult to be absolutely certain as he has not played on English pitches and may take a little while to adapt.”
Seth’s professional cricket so far has been for Arunachal Pradesh, in north east India, 1,300 miles from his home town. He was drafted into their squad when they were admitted into India’s senior cricket three years ago and was immediately successful with a century in his first one-day match and a 50 on his first-class debut.
Most of the paperwork has been done and it remains only for Seth to have a visa issued in India. Given present restrictions imposed in both countries because of the Covid-19 pandemic this may take a few days but he is due to be in town by the first week of April.
It is still intended that the league season will start on April 17 but that will depend on the Government’s announcement expected on Monday and the advice from the England and Wales Cricket Board which will follow.
At present, a full season is planned with league and cup cricket all in the fixture list. Barney 1st XI are due to start at home against Hartlepool with the 2nd XI away to the same opposition.
“We know there will be regulations telling us what we have to put in place to be able to play,” said Mr Brenkley.
“We just hope that spectators will be allowed as well to enjoy the cricket and a pint. I think we’re all ready for that.”
