Second time lucky for Tim as Bacup skipper (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Second time lucky for Tim as Bacup skipper

1:00pm Tuesday 10th July 2012 in Cricket By Matt Donlan, Sports reporter

TIM Farragher believes he is better suited to his second coming as Bacup captain than he was first time around – even though he can see the similarities between now and his last spell in charge.

The 29-year-old batsman was handed the Lanehead job last week when bowler David Warren stepped down from the role in a bid to recover from a nagging back injury that had caused him to miss matches.

“Woz had been struggling with his back and when you don’t feel right in yourself captaincy is probably the last thing you need,” said Farragher.

“He had been thinking about it for a few games and didn’t feel he was doing himself justice with the ball and decided the time was right to step down to try and get himself fit and back to his best.”

Bacup have struggled on the field this term with just three wins but the upbeat Farragher believes that the young side can grow and everyone can learn from his first spell in charge.

Farragher was skipper of Bacup in 2010 and although his side finished bottom of the league, they did reach the last four of the Worsley Cup only to be beaten by an Anwar Ali inspired Colne, who went on to stun Ramsbottom in the final.

“I think I am better for that experience,” he said. “I learned a lot from that season as captain and I feel that two years on I am better suited to the job than I was then.

“There are similarities between then and now. We were a young side and still are but all of the lads are two years more experienced and growing into first team cricket.

“And while they are still young, they are better players now than they were then.

“And two years ago we had a non-bowling pro in Mike Smith. That is difficult because you miss the experience of being able to throw the ball to the pro when things are not going too well for the amateurs.

“And this year we are using sub-pros and that is not ideal.”

Sri Lankan Udara Pieris managed just four games this season before going home with a shoulder injury meaning Bacup being forced to search out replacements.

“We have had some good ones like Brett Pelser, Dale Deeb and Shaun De Kock,” said Farragher.

“You know they are not just coming for the cash. They turn up and want to win the game, they want to be part of the team they want to do their bit for you.”

Bacup hired Leyland’s Pelser for Saturday’s game at Lowerhouse, while Blackpool’s Deeb stood in on Sunday against Todmorden.

Both games were rained off with Bacup in the box seat against the reigning champions at Liverpool Road, while they were anything but against Todmorden having slumped to 38-5.

“We bowled well against Lowerhouse,” said the captain. “We bowled them out for 116 and were chasing just over 100 after a bit of rain with all 10 wickets left when the game was called off.

“So yes, I think we would have got home against the champions – but there is always one team not happy when the rain dictates.

“It was disappointing – but it sums up this season with the weather.”