Colne sack Cleary and sign Adams by Nigel Stockley - April 23rd

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Player:

AR Adams

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Colne have sacked Australian Mark Cleary for leaving to play for Leicestershire on a short term agreement without the club's permission. The county, which has shown scant regard for players league contracts in the recent past, may have found that it has bitten off more than it can chew on this occasion, as has the player who played just one league match for Colne. The club has stood the cost to date, of his work permit, travel and living expenses. Leicestershire signed the player as cover for South African Garnett Kruger for a two and a half week period.

 

The club has now moved at lightening speed to sign New Zealand paceman Andre Adams as Cleary's replacement. The 28 year-old Adams has played in one Test match and 30 One Day Internationals for his country, taking 44 wickets and averaging 19.9 with the bat in the shorter version of the game. Adams is expected to arrive in time to play next weekend. The club have engaged West Indian David Bernard, who is currently professional at Southport, for Sundays match at home to Rishton.

 

Cleary has not made the impact he had hoped for in his first match county cricket, having been overshadowed by veteran Ottis Gibson (ex Haslingden and Enfield) and former Ramsbottom paid man Brad Hodge with the ball, conceding 80 runs without taking a wicket and failing to trouble the scorers when he batted at number 11 as his new county were forced to follow on against Glamorgan.