Cleckheaton prepare to host Yorkshire CCC tonight

Andrew Gale has vowed to field a strong side on the ground where he played from the age of 13.

It will be a proud moment for the Yorkshire captain when he leads the county side out in what Cleckheaton are describing as the biggest night in their history.

Cleckheaton committee member Kevin Mitchell has helped organise the event and said: “People may think it’s a sweeping statement but this is the biggest game in our history and if things go well it has been mooted that it could become an annual event.”

The match starts at 6pm and gates at Moorend will open from 4.30pm.

Around 40 volunteers will ensure things run smoothly and cars will be able to park on the adjacent rugby field but only between 4.30pm to 5.30pm and once they have parked, they will not be allowed to move until after the game.

Many of the volunteers have been there since early this morning to ensure the ground is in tip top condition.

Yorkshire will use the game as a warm-up to their Friends Life Twenty20 competition, which begins when Durham visit Headingley on Friday.

The have named a 14-man squad for tonight’s clash: Gale, Jacques, Miller, Ballance, Sidebottom, Root, Lyth, Pyrah, Brophy, Rafiq, Rashid, Starc, Ashraf, Wardlaw.

Fast bowler Iain Wardlaw will be involved but he could yet turn out for Cleckheaton, who he plays for in the Bradford League.