2025 PREVIEWS: All change at Liverpool as Clein looks for repeat performance

New Liverpool skipper Jared Clein is hoping for more of the same from a much-changed side.

Former Leigh seamer Finn Hulbert, with 85 Premier Division wickets over the past two seasons, is the headline arrival.

Adding his experience to the top-flight quality of ex-Ormskirk men Alex and Rob Rankin might appear to be a recipe for building on last season’s fourth place in Division One.

But Clein, who takes over from Matty Jackson, is in a cautious mood thanks to the departures of spinner Ross Allen, all-rounder Jim Poulsom and batter Harry Watson, among others.

He said: “It was a really good, solid year but we’ve lost six or seven players. 

“It’s going to be a new squad and obviously they take time to gel. 

“We’re looking at last year and thinking we had a good season, so we hope we can almost replicate that.

“Finn’s obviously a very good player. We’re looking for him to fill the void left by Ross, who got through a lot of overs.

“I think Rob and Alex weren’t too happy with their form last year, so fingers crossed they can push on as well.”

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Australian wicketkeeper Josh Shawel arrives as an overseas amateur to bolster the top order.

Clein topped the club’s league run charts with 544 last year, and came second only to Allen with 42 wickets – he knows his off-breaks will have some work to do again.

“We’ve got some good pace bowlers but we’re a little lacking in spinners,” he said.

Aged 24, Clein is deceptively experienced with 203 1st XI games under his belt – he believes the time is right for him to take the reins.

He added: “I was a captain for a bit in junior teams, but this is my first taste of it as an adult and I’m really looking forward to it. 

“Talking to Jacko at the end of last season, we realised that even though I’m young I’ve had eight full years in the 1st XI – so on the experience side of things, I’m ready.

“It’s always nice to go into the season believing you’ve got a good chance. 

“We’ll set out with the aim to win as many games as possible and see where it takes us.”

from Merseyside Cricket Online https://ift.tt/gHWpbLq