Brothers Move On From Hyde Cricket Club

Hyde Cricket Club has been rocked by the news that two key players have left the club over the winter.

Brothers Luke and Elliot Young have chosen to leave the Werneth Low side and take on challenges elsewhere.

Elliot, who was first team vice-captain last season, will play for his former club Hawk Green, while 19-year-old Luke has joined Premier League rivals Chester Boughton Hall.

The departures will have come as a major blow to Hyde’s plans for the new season, even with the uncertainty surrounding the 2021 cricket season, and will leave a big hole at the top and middle of their order.

Elliot, who joined in 2016, has been a mainstay of the side playing a significant role with both bat and ball, helping the club to a number of honours including the Cheshire Premier League and the Cheshire Cup.

Last season he averaged more than 25 with the bat, while his bowling has been a major asset to the team, taking vital wickets in key matches since his arrival at the club.

Like his older brother, Luke has established himself as key member of the side since breaking into the first team in 2019, making his maiden first team century during that season.

Despite last season being decimated by the Covid pandemic, Luke’s reputation as a star of the future was further enhanced with some eye-catching displays that belied his tender years.

A member of the Lancashire Cricket Academy, his departure will leave a major gap at the top of the order, while his bowling was an additional option for Hyde skipper Tom Partridge.

Having scored centuries at both club and representative level, replacing Luke will be a significant challenge for the club.

Whether that is with one of the many talented youngsters coming through or whether the club look at bringing in a more experienced player will become clearer in the coming weeks.

With the latest lockdown restrictions, the majority of clubs will not be able to return to training as early as they usually do and the start of the new season must be in some doubt even at this early stage of the new year.

Hyde are due to begin their campaign at Alderley Edge on April 17, so the players will be keen to get in to pre-season training as soon as possible and with first team places up for grabs, training will be as competitive as ever.