Cricket: March rumour mill in NCU

With the new NCU cricket season just around the corner, here is the latest on some potential moves.
Mark Adair is returning to Holywood. Picture: Russell Pritchard / PresseyeMark Adair is returning to Holywood. Picture: Russell Pritchard / Presseye
Mark Adair is returning to Holywood. Picture: Russell Pritchard / Presseye

Holywood, the Section One club who have already added Paddy Beverland and Nathan Burns to their squad, have agreed terms with Mark Adair for the fast bowler to play at Seapark for at least part of the summer.

The former Warwickshire seamer is expected to take up an offer with English county Durham, but will also turn out for his boyhood club after turning down overtures from several NCU Premier League clubs.

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Jonathan Terrett, the former North Down batsman, is believed to have attracted interest from Muckamore. The left-hander was part of the Cliftonville team relegated from Section One last season, and Cliftonville have now merged with Academy to become Cliftonville-Academy.

Jonathan TerrettJonathan Terrett
Jonathan Terrett

It is understood the left-hander is weighing up his future and could be tempted by another crack at top-flight cricket.

Muckamore are also hoping to announce the identity of their new professional soon. Christaan Jonker, the South African batsman who played for Fox Lodge a decade ago, is believed to be their target.

It was confirmed this week that Muckamore will be without Iftikhar Hussain this season after the all-rounder returned to North West club Brigade after just a season at Moylena.

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Elsewhere, Armagh are on the brink of announcing their professional. The newly-promoted club are thought to have agreed terms with a top South African all-rounder.

Morgan ToppingMorgan Topping
Morgan Topping

Civil Service North meanwhile have confirmed the signing of Morgan Topping from Waringstown. The Ireland under-19 star has moved to Stormont in search of more first-team opportunities. He will be joined at the club by top South African professional Andre Malan, brother of the former North Down pro Pieter.

Topping said: “I’m delighted to have joined CSNI. I’m looking forward to playing regular first team cricket and getting to know everyone at Stormont. I will aiming to help the team challenge for silverware this year and to grow and develop as a first-team regular.”

In Section One Lisburn have confirmed that Neil Doak will remain coach of the club until his move to England to become part of the rugby coaching staff at Worcester Warriors.

Doak will not move to England until the end of June so will remain heavily involved at Wallace Park until then.