CRICKET: Shahbaz moves on to Horspath (From Oxford Mail)

CRICKET: Shahbaz moves on to Horspath

12:34pm Thursday 10th November 2011 in Sport

Shahbaz Ali

Oxfordshire all-rounder Shahbaz Ali has left Banbury to play for Horspath next season.

The 33-year-old left-handed batsman and right-arm seam bowler played in the county’s four MCCA Trophy games this year.

Shahbaz will be renewing some old aquaintances, having played for Oxford & Horspath CC earlier in his club career.

Announcing Shahbaz’s signing, Horspath captain Adam Krol said: “I think it is a real coup. We went to speak to him and he said ‘yes’ within five minutes of chatting to him, which was great news.

“He is maybe keen for a different challenge and knows the club relatively well anyway. I think it is a great signing.”

Krol believes Shahbaz’s capture is of huge significance as Horspath bid to bounce back at the first attempt from being relegated from the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League.

“Everyone knows how good a player he is and I think he will make a real difference to us,” he added.

“We said from the outset that we only want to sign players who will improve the side because we have a lot of good players anyway.

“He is a terrific Minor Counties player – someone who has got runs at that level and consistently in the Premier League, which is the highest level you can play club cricket at.

“I think it also says a lot about the club. It is a statement of intent that we want to get back into the Home Counties and stabilise as a club in the Home Counties after last year.”

Krol is also looking to Shahbaz, who is a qualified coach, to have an impact off the field.

“The important thing next year is that he will not just benefit us on Saturday, but will have an effect through the whole of the club,” he added.

Meanwhile, former Banbury all-rounder Ant Bullick has been forced to retire from the game at the age of 26 following a string of back, hip and groin injuries.

The New Zealander, who played for Otago, was the leading bowler in Division 1 of the Home Counties Premier League in 2009 with 47 wickets, which helped the north Oxfordshire club finish second in the table that season.