Bacup
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Bacup
CRICKET CLUB
Bacup CC was established in the 1860’s playing “friendlies” and became
inaugural members of the Lancashire Cricket League in 1892. For 125
years Bacup were one of the same 14 teams who competed in this league
alongside the likes of Burnley, Accrington, Nelson and East Lancashire.
Two years ago three new teams were adopted before
a further seven (all part of the old Central Lancs League)
were taken on board last year, resulting in a one off
season where everybody played each other once. The
top twelve now compete in division one this season
with the remainder fighting it out in Division
Two. Bacup find themselves in Division
Two which is the right level for us at
the moment.
Bacup have a proud history
having been Lancashire League
champions on ten occasions.
Many renowned Test players
have earned their corn at the
Lanehead ground. To name
but a few Roy Gilchrist, Roger
Harper, Chris Cairns, Chris
Harris and perhaps the most
famous of all Sir Everton Weekes
who spent several seasons at
Bacup have graced the league.
Cricket Club Magazine recently
caught up with Club Representative
Neal Wilkinson to find out more. He told
us, “The most successful era in the club’s history
came at the start of the millennium when I was fortunate
to be the captain when we won the title three years on
the run between 2000 and 2002 when Australian Test and
26 Issue 51
One Day opening bowler Adam Dale was professional
followed by two years of Tasmanian all-rounder Shaun
Young who also had one Test appearance for the Aussies.
The advent of round the year cricket and worldwide T20
tournaments of course means that it is very difficult
to sign this sort of player. Another player
to don the Bacup colours was current
Australian assistant coach Adam
Griffith.”
“The current professional is
Sri Lankan Sachithra Serasinghe
who arrived on the back of
being the leading run scorer in
the Sri Lankan Premier League
Tournament. He has hit the
ground running here and
currently has the most runs
and wickets in Division 2.
“I was first taken to the club
to watch the first team play at the
age of about eight by my father
who had also played for Bacup and
the first professionals I can remember
are Ian Brayshaw and Tony Mann. I played
adult cricket from the age of eleven in the highly
competitive Bacup and District Sunday School League
where there were some very good players, many of
whom would make the step up to Lancashire League