Irby happy to be back in Cheshire… and aiming high after winning start
Irby skipper Rafi Afridi says his side feel at home in the Cheshire Cricket League, having spent two seasons in other competitions.
Relegation from the Love Lane Liverpool Competition in 2023, their first season after making the move, was followed by a successful year in the Southport & District league.
But despite winning the Sandhurst Shield and losing just two league games all year, those two happened to be to Prescot & Odyssey, who pipped the Wirral side to promotion.
The club voted unanimously to return to their Cheshire roots and began their Division One campaign with an eight-wicket win at Lymm Outrighton Park.
Afridi said: “It wasn’t a very competitive league last year. We’d sometimes be done by 1pm.
“Prescot & Odyssey were pretty much the only competitive games we had, and they were the only ones we lost.
“We’re looking forward to a more competitive league in Cheshire.
“There will be a bit more travelling to do but that’s nothing we haven’t done before. We feel a bit more settled in this league.
“No matter what league we play in we need to be strong, we need to be determined, we need to keep looking ahead and have a goal in mind.
“It has been a bit of a bumpy ride, but we’re looking ahead now.”
If all goes to plan, Irby could even notch up a fourth league in five years if they achieve promotion to the Cheshire County Cricket League.
Key to their success will be a sprightly seam attack of Ollie Wilson, 17, and South African Lowick Van Heerden, 18.
Wilson took 3/11 on Saturday as the hosts succumbed for just 60 – next up is a home clash against Stockport Trinity.
Afridi added: “My personal aim is to get promoted and the lads are focused on that goal.
“We will give it our best shot and we’re definitely optimistic.
“The youngsters we’ve got coming through deserve to be in a better league.
“I think that’s where the club should be playing, to help them fulfill their potential.”
