Background information on the leagues I have played in

The North Lancashire League is the premier cricket league in Cumbria. The league encompasses teams from Carlisle in the North, Whitehaven in the West, Carnforth in the South then right down to the Barrow region. The league name originates from when Barrow was still part of Lancashire. It has been the stepping stone for many young cricketers who have gone onto play First Class cricket.

The Northern Cricket League is arguably one of the strongest leagues in Lancashire. Although it does not receive as much media attention as the Lancashire League or Central Lancashire League it is felt that the overall standard is higher. This is backed up by the fact that member clubs have dominated the Lancashire cup over the last 20 years and teams have also done well in the National Club knockout. I played for Kendal for two seasons and Lancaster for six. Professionals whom I played against include Ravi Shastri (India), Javed Miandad (Pakistan), Mark Greatbatch (New Zealand) and Franklyn Stephenson (West Indies).

The South Wales Cricket Association is the largest league in Wales. Many current and ex Glamorgan players are seen playing in the league every week.

The BUSA Championships are the National University cricket championships. Whilst I was studying at UWIC I coached the side during for two years . Many young players whom are contracted to First Class counties appear in the Championships and it is a high standard of cricket.

The North West Cricket Union. Many high profile professional play in the league. Member clubs have enjoyed regular success in the All Ireland Cup and supply several members of the current Ireland squad. Fellow professionals included Shaoib Akthar , Ijaz Ahmed (Pakistan), Ridley Jacobs (West Indies) and Neil Johnson (Zimbabwe).

The Drakes Huddersfield League is a very competitive league based around Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. Despite being played on small ground the nature of the cricket has produced many prominent first class cricketers. Indeed in the 2000 season 13 current County cricketers were playing for member clubs. I played for Scholes Cricket Club. The club won the league for the first time in their history and during our final game of the season I scored my 100th hundred in all levels of cricket. I also hit a total of 51 sixes during the season.

The Transvaal (now Gauteng) Premier League is the first grade competition. Provincial players regularly turn out for their clubs. I was coaching at St Johns School in Johannesburg and playing for the Old Johannians Club.

The North Tasmanian Cricket Association is based around Launceston. I was playing for South Launceston Cricket Club and was club coach responsible for all junior and senior teams. Several of our First Grade players were members of the Tasmanian Sheffield Shield squad.

The Eastern Province Cricket Union is responsible for league cricket in the Province. I played First Grade cricket for Old Grey CC and teammates included Dave Callaghan (EP and South Africa) and Rod McCurdy (EP and Australia). I also did some coaching for the Cricket Union at various schools in the City.

The Western Province Cricket Association is responsible for league cricket within the Province.
In 1992-1994 I was attached to the Mitchells Plain Cricket Club. In 1994-1996 Northerns Goodwood Cricket Club employed me as captain/coach. Team mates included Brett Matthews, Brian Macmillan and Herschelle Gibbs (all Western Province and South Africa).

The West Australian Suburban Turf CA is a second tier competition. A lower standard than the WACA it is never the less a strong competition. I was Captain/Coach of Murdoch University Cricket Club responsible for coaching, training and selecting all teams. The club ran five teams across the Grades. Since the 2000/01 season I have been captain/coach for Wembley Cricket Club.In Season 1999/2000 I was runner up in the Player of the Association award and in 2000/2001 I finished in the top 10. I was also club champion at Murdoch in both the 1998/99 and 1999/2000 seasons.

Cumberland County Cricket Club play in the Minor Counties Championship. I have played 97 times for the County in Championship matches and 13 Holt Cup One Day matches. I made a return to the team in 2000 after an exile of eight seasons. During my career I played in the first Cumberland team to win both the Minor Counties Championship and the Holt Cup (one-day knockout). I also served on the Cricket and Selection committees and was Captain/Coach/Manager of the 2nd XI from 1989 to 1992. I am the youngest player to represent Cumberland in the Minor Counties Championship, being 16 years 34 days old at time of my debut versus Durham in 1980. I was the first Cumberland player to be selected for the full Minor Counties Representative XI in 1988 and 1989. I played in six Benson and Hedges Cup games and also against the touring West Indians and Sri Lankans.

In 2001 I was contracted to play and coach for Ajax Leiden Cricket Club in The Dutch Erste Klasse. I beat the record for most runs(725) scored in a season at the club which had stood since 1921. Check out the Erste Klasse Averages for 2001


There are links to several articles about me on the net below
Lancashire v Cumberland 1986
Sussex v Cumberland 1987
Nottinghamshire v Minor Counties 1988
Minor Counties v Northants 1988
Yorkshire v Minor Counties 1988
Worcestershire v Cumberland 1988
Somerset v Minor Counties 1989
Minor Counties v Nottinghamshire 1989
Cumberland v Lancashire 1989
Essex v Cumberland 1992
Stockdale brings Scholes net gain
Naked cricketers caught red handed
Cricinfo link

Link to current club Wembley