Carrick CC target promotion

They get their Section 1 campaign under way today (Saturday) with a trip to Derriaghy, before welcoming Downpatrick to Middle Road in seven days’ time.

Carrick will be aiming to bounce back to the top flight at the first time of asking after a poor 2012 season which yielded just one league win.

It’s a clean slate for the local lads, and the new campaign brings with it a new captain in Iain Parkhill. He skippered the side at the tail end of last season, and went on to win the 1st XI Bowling Cup. He now has the job on a permanent basis following the departure of his predecessor, Ross Gelderbloem.

Parkhill told the Carrick Times: “Being captain is a big responsibility, especially with some big names in our squad, but I enjoy it.

“There will be expectation on our shoulders this season and I just hope we can fulfill where we think we deserve to be. For a club of our stature and with the facilities we have - that’s the Premier League.”

He added: “The squad is just back from a tour in Essex where we played two matches, winning one and losing the other.

“Hopefully we can have a stab at gaining promotion and get back to where we belong.”

Earlier this year Carrick announced the acquisition of overseas player Louis Delport - a South African all-rounder. Everyone connected with the club will be hoping the 24-year-old can help fire the team in the right direction.

Last year the left-arm spin bowler got a taste of cricket in the United Kingdom when playing for Pyrford CC in the Surrey Championship where he was third top wicket-taker with 36, as well as hitting four half-centuries opening the batting.

Delport, a left-handed top order batsman, will also play a key role in the coaching set-up at Carrick, alongside Mikey Taiaroa and former Irish international, Ryan Eagleson.

For New Zealander Taiaroa, 2013 marks the start of his fourth campaign with the club. The talented batsman will be hoping to top make it four seasons on the spin at the top of the club’s run chart.