Sentinel awaiting Tawanda Sithole go-ahead
Sentinel are set to sign a promising Zimbabwean all-rounder as they look to build on the flying start to their first season in the Birmingham & District Cricket League, writes Stuart Dunn.
Last year’s Shropshire County League champions have impressively handled the step up to a higher level, securing notable away wins in Division Three on the last two Saturdays at Stratford-upon-Avon and Worcester Nomads to sit second.
Skipper Ed Ashlin is now pleased to be on the verge of adding an overseas player to the Albert Road squad, with Sentinel just waiting to hear from the Birmingham League that the signing of Tawanda Sithole has gone through.
The 17-year-old, a top-order batsman and off-spinner, recently arrived at Oswestry School on an exchange programme and has been recommended to Sentinel by long-serving player Dominic Bradburne, director of sport at the school.
Ashlin said: “Tawanda will be playing some decent cricket at Oswestry School and playing some club cricket will be good for his development, so Dom has helped make this opportunity happen and hopefully it will be good for both sides.
“We’re just waiting for clarification from the Birmingham League that Tawanda’s registration has gone through.
“He’s only played two or three games at Oswestry School as he’s not been over that long, but he looks a promising player.
“He’s a left-handed top-order batter and a left-arm spinner. It will give us further options.
“He’s been involved in some representative cricket back home in Harare. He’s only just starting off his journey really, but he’s got some decent pedigree and he goes to one of the good cricket schools in Zimbabwe, Prince Edward in Harare.”
Sentinel had a vacancy for an overseas player as work commitments ruled out a return to Albert Road for popular Australian all-rounder Elliot Hitchen.
Ashlin admits Sentinel face a welcome selection headache as he hopes new boy Sithole, if all goes to plan, will be in contention to make his debut at home to Milford Hall tomorrow.
Mal Serplet, Jamie Wear and Mattie Richards, all absent for last Saturday’s 51-run triumph at Worcester Nomads, will all be pushing to return, but Craig Heath, a centurion at Stratford a week earlier, is again unavailable after also missing the win against Nomads.
