Cleckheaton to play Yorkshire

The game will be at Moorend on Wednesday June 13 (start 6pm) and act as a warm-up for Yorkshire, who begin their Twenty20 campaign two days later when Durham visit Headingley.

Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale played at Cleckheaton from the age of 14 and is delighted to be returning to his home club.

Gale said: “I am really excited to be coming back to Cleckheaton to play on the ground I grew up learning my cricket on.

“I have so many friends at the club, so it will be a great occasion for me to catch up with everyone.

“It also gives Yorkshire a real warm up to the Twenty20 competition that will hopefully give us some valued, competitive practice that we need.”

Cleckheaton cricket chairman, Dave Worrall said: “We are thrilled to bits with this fixture.

“Andrew has been really supportive and influential in helping to make this happen but there is a sound logic behind this fixture as it is two days before Yorkshire’s Twenty20 programme begins. The county staff sees this as a serious work-out.

“It has been made clear the team selected for their opening Twenty20 fixture is likely to be at Moorend and in return for this gesture Cleckheaton CC will be making a donation to the Yorkshire Cricket Academy.

“It is a huge opportunity for people to come along and see our county team play.”

Cleckheaton pace bowler Iain Wardlaw will be involved but it has not been decided which team he will play for, as he was part of Yorkshire’s Twenty20 squad last summer.

The club are grateful to Thompson, Davis & Co Ltd International Freight forwarders and their managing director, John Wildman, who has agreed to sponsor the match.