Devon Cricket Board - Barton hoping to re-sign Badat for 2014

Barton hoping to re-sign Badat for 2014

BARTON are confident of bringing South African all-rounder Husain Badat back to Cricketfield Road for this season’s A Division campaign.
Badat scored 402 runs and took 28 wickets as Barton finished fifth in the table last term. Only skipper Adam Parker with 36 scalps performed better with the ball.
“All being well we will be welcoming Husain Badat back for a second season with us,” said Parker.
“His contribution, both on and off the pitch last year, was extremely good and he was exactly what you would want from an oversees player.”
Last season’s promotion race was a two-horse affair from early on with Heathcoat and Sandford setting the pace from the start.
Relegated Budleigh Salterton will be fancied to bounce straight back up – and Brixham have already stated their intention to return to the top flight after a gap of 20 years.
If Barton want to figure in the promotion race there are areas they have to improve on.
“Our aim has to be to improve our consistency from last year,” said Parker.
“Last year we lost a lot of games we could quite easily have won had we got the basics right and been willing to do the extra little things that win you games.
“The ability is in our squad to compete with the very best and we showed that last year we now need to turn that into the correct results.”
Parker is working on player recruitment but until registration forms are completed is playing his cards close to his chest.
“We have made some enquiries with some players we believe will strengthen our squad and enable us to build on what we achieved last year,” was all Parker would say.
Parker said there are no permanent departures, but some disruption due to university commitments and the attractions of going travelling.
Among the late starters is Tom Drake, who topped the batting aggregates last season with 428.
“We will be missing a couple of the younger players for the first couple of games - Tom Drake and Dale Adderley - due to university,” said Parker.
“Sean Adderley is about to head off travelling for six months so we won't be seeing him for the first half of the season.”
Barton start winter nets on February 5 in their own indoor facility.
“All new players welcome,” said Parker.
“If anyone is interested contact me on 07584 071371, or cricket manager Jim Parker on 07703 129682.”

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