Update from Club President, Liam Wright

Overseas Professional + New Signing | Update

Good Morning All,

I hope this message finds you well. We are now only 4 weeks from the season beginning and the fun starting! We are almost ready to go, with Get Set Weekend on the 28th and 29th acting as the final part of the productive winter we’ve had behind the scenes. 

This time of the year is always very busy as the club sends out lots of emails and notices, but I felt it was important to take the opportunity to provide everyone with an update on our Overseas Professional for 2026.

Update on Mominul Haque

As most people will be aware, we were delighted to announce that Bangladesh International Mominul Haque had signed to be our Overseas Pro for 2026.

Mominul’s agreement to join us for the summer was fully signed and his visa application completed, however unavoidable late changes to his international commitments mean that both parties have agreed not to proceed for Summer 2026.

The addition of a Test Series versus Pakistan and an extended First-Class competition in Bangladesh after we had signed Mominul meant that he would have missed a significant portion of our season.

Whilst we could have proceeded and used Sub Professionals in the 1st XI, this would have meant other elements of the club missing out on benefits like additional coaching that are brought by an Overseas Professional, such as Friday Night Junior Coaching.

Whilst this is disappointing news, I am really pleased to confirm that we have instead secured the services of a different Overseas Professional who will be with us for the entire season and is extremely keen to get started.

WelcomeTo Mottram CC, Deshan Dias | Our 2026 Pro!

I am delighted to announce that Sri Lankan First-Class Wicketkeeper and Batter Deshan Dias will be with us for the 2026 season, subject to visa confirmation.

Deshan has significant First-Class experience in his native country, including >3,000 FC runs and already has two successful campaigns in the UK under his belt. He previously starred in the GMCL for Milnrow where he averaged in excess of 50 with the bat and was a hit for Cullompton CC in the Devon Cricket League where he averaged 47.

Away from the 1st XI, he is already a qualified ECB Level 2 coach so will add real value across all of our teams and on Friday Nights.

I am genuinely delighted to be welcoming him to our club. I have spoken to him a number of times in the past week to discuss the season ahead, and he has expressed not only his excitement for playing but also for offering coaching right across the club.

New Local Signing Confirmed

On a similar note, I am also really pleased to announce that we have signed Muhammad Saqib from Moorside CC to add another high-quality opening bowling option into the 1st XI.

Muhammad took 51 wickets in the GMCL Championship last season at an average of 16.84, including a spell of 7 for 38 against Swinton Moorside. Muhammad will be joining us at senior training from next Tuesday, so please make him feel welcome in the run-up to the season. Thank you to Fusion Sports for their support with this signing.

Finally, I want to wish all our senior and junior teams a massive, good luck for the summer. Most importantly, enjoy the season as they come and go very quickly.
 
All the best everyone.

Best Regards,
Wrighty