Skipper 'surprised' by Edenfield start

10:40am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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EDENFIELD skipper Greg Smithson says he's been pleasantly surprised by his side's superb start to the season.

After narrowly losing the opening game to Great Harwood, Edenfield have posted wins over Padiham and champions Blackburn Northern.

And in their abandoned game against Barnoldswick, Edenfield were in a strong position on 141 for 2 after 26 overs, with pro Babar Naeem unbeaten on 110.

And it's Naeem's form that has been impressive in the early part of this season.

The Pakistani star has been in imperious form with 19 wickets to his name already and just shy of 200 runs.

And with the Gin Croft Lane outfit tucked into fourth place after the first four fixtures, skipper Smithson is well pleased with his side's start.

Smithson said: "We've had a great start, much better then I expected given the conditions we've had in the early part of the summer.

"But we've coped really well and we've been able to chase down some difficult targets in the first few games."

And on Naeem's start to the season, he added: "We've had Bobby here for a few years now and we know he's one of the best professionals in the league.

"But at the start of this season, he's really under-lined that fact.

"He had a good season back home in Pakistan, but the key thing for us has been that he understands English conditions in April.

"They're very different from what he's used to but he's adapted his game so well, with bat and ball, and he's shown his undoubted class.

"He's still played the big shots but he's really knuckled down at times and he's been fantastic."

Next up for Edenfield are Clitheroe, who pulled off a great win against highly-fancied Baxenden last weekend, but Smithson says his side won't fear anyone.

"Probably about 95 per cent of our players are home grown and we have a really good team spirit in the dressing room," he added.

"That can be crucial when the chips are down.

"We have a very young side, after losing the likes of Jamie Smith, but we have people who can step in and do a job.

"Billy Slinger is a very willing worker and we're hoping he can pick up the wickets as he has done so many times in the past."

At the start of the season, Smithson targeted a top six finish and a Lancashire Cup spot and, despite the start, he's not going to revise his expectations just yet.

"On paper, the league this year is going to be a really close affair. At least that's the way things are panning out at the moment," he said.

"I'm not going to start and make predictions but we're optimistic of having a good season with the players we have got.

"We're not going to get carried away but we've shown what we are capable of against the likes of Great Harwood and Barnoldswick, so we can be confident no matter who we play against."