Saqlain Chooses Syston

Syston have won the race to sign the former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq for the coming season. Syston, who finished ninth in the ECB Everards Leicestershire Premier League last season, are delighted to have secured the services of the player most associated with the ‘doosra’, the off-spinner’s ball that turns away from the right-handed batsman with no discernible change of action.

After a week of phone calls to players, league officials and the ECB, Syston sealed the 33-year-old’s switch from Surrey side Old Whitgiftians CC.

Syston club captain Scott Cooper said: “This is beyond fantastic for the club. Syston are able to attract good cricketers but never in a million years did I think a test player of Saqlain’s quality would play here at Syston.

“I just hope that the players and supporters enjoy the experience and the club can use this as a stepping stone to go on to even better things.

“I want to see locals who didn’t even know there was a cricket club in Syston turning up, enjoying the surroundings of the ground and taking in what will be a good standard of cricket.”

Saqlain, who holds a British passport, has been without a county club since his release by Surrey late in 2008. He will return from his commentating commitments in the Indian Premier League to play in Syston’s home match against Sileby Town CC at Potters Lane tomorrow.