Pontesbury captain Matt Boswell has hit out at the policy of a number of rival clubs in bringing in overseas players ahead of the start of the new Shropshire Cricket League season on Saturday.
Boswell admits he is bemused that several local clubs have opted to take a “short-sighted” approach by looking overseas for reinforcements.
Frankton, Acton Reynald and Wroxeter are among the division one sides to cast their recruitment nets further afield, with Boswell insisting it is not a route he would consider exploring given the level Pontesbury are playing at.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous that clubs at this level are paying players, in some cases just to achieve mid-table mediocrity,” he said.
“I’ve been offered players myself but would rather struggle with a local side than bring in, say, a West Indian for a few weeks. What good would that do us as a club in the long run?
“This is village cricket and I think people have lost sight of that with the bigger picture of getting promoted to the Shropshire Premier League and maybe the Birmingham League after that.
“Our club has a lot of local lads, all village cricketers, and none of them receive money to play.
“I think clubs who look overseas are looking to build teams rather than clubs and I think it’s completely short-sighted.
“If I took on a professional bowler it would be to the detriment of the youngsters we’ve got coming through as it curtails their progress.”
Frankton, highly fancied to push for the division one title after several near misses, have brought Sri Lankan allrounder Nalaka De Silva, a big hit last year, back to Hardwick Park for a second season.
Wroxeter have looked to Australia to sign 19-year-old Callum Cook, who will bat at the top of the order and also provide some slow left arm spin.
And Acton Reynald, keen to improve on last season’s struggles in which Kiwi import Duan White disappointed, have also got in on the act by swooping for West Indian Ivor Lawrence, a highly rated spinner.
The Antiguan allrounder will arrive at the end of May for a 12-game stint.