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All-round star signs for MCC

Sam Warren
15/11/2007

MIDDLETON Cricket Club has announced the signing of South African all-rounder Justin Kreusch as their professional for next season.

Kreusch, 28, hails from East London in the Cape Province and is a highly talented player with a more than healthy limited-overs batting average of 35, including three centuries.

Bowling-wise his right-arm mediums have been extremely useful for his state side, The Warriors, in their push for domestic success.

Kreusch has spent the past four seasons scoring heavily for Blackpool in the Northern League, and Middleton captain John Punchard had no hesitation in saying he wanted him to be a Moonraker next summer.

Punchard said: “When we knew that Justin would be available, we wasted no time in putting an offer to him for 2008. We had heard from various sources, such as our former professional Arno Jacobs, that Justin is highly professional and treats every game and practice as though it were his last.

“This is the kind of attitude and persona that we want at Middleton in order to continue our move forward and rebuilding towards another successful period for the club."

Kreusch has had experience of playing in the CLL.

Last season he deputised for local rivals Heywood in the absence of Sherwin Campbell, and twice stood in for the Moonrakers when outgoing professional Brendon Reddy was injured - scoring 70 and 145.

“Those who saw that majestic century in the final game of the season, against Radcliffe, will have no doubts about his ability or influence on the game” added Punchard.

“The way he dominated the Radcliffe attack that day was quite superb, an innings which seemed to bring the best out of us all.

“It is this influence that we hope he will bring next season, for both younger and older players to learn from.”