Mehrab Hossain signed for Blythe for North Staffs and South Cheshire League

[Zunaid]

Can someone elaborate on Blythe and the league?

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk...l/article.html

BLYTHE have broken new boundaries by signing Bangladesh batsman Mehrab Hossain for the new North Staffs and South Cheshire League season.

The 23-year-old left-hander, who also bowls left-arm spin, will become the first Bangladesh player to feature in the league.

It is not the first time the Division One side have been trail-blazers when recruiting overseas players.

All-rounder Jehan Mubarak became the first Sri Lankan to play in the local league during his short stint at Cresswell Lane in 2006.


His success prompted an influx of cricketers from the island the following season, which included Ranil Dhammika's arrival at Blythe.

Director of cricket Mark Hammond believes Hossain's signing – coupled with the success of all-rounder Shakib-Al-Hasan at Worcestershire – could prompt more clubs to tap into the Bangladesh market.

"Mehrab is a quality player. He wants to be a trend-setter and help create opportunities for other Bangladeshis to play in the league," he said.

"Shakib's performances at Worcestershire have also helped open people's eyes to the impact they can make.

"We did the same with Jehan and Ranil. They were huge successes for us and Ranil has gone on to be an important player for Meakins.

"They paved the way for Sri Lankans to come over and play.

"Hopefully Mehrab can have the same impact."

Hossain has seven Test caps since making his debut against Sri Lanka, in Colombo, in 2007.

He scored 83 against New Zealand in only his second Test, and has also been capped 18 times at one-day level, along with two Twenty20 international appearances.

The Dhaka-born star has represented his country at under-19 and A team level, as well as captaining the academy side.

Hammond explained the rule change, which meant the league became 'open' in terms of paying players, had been a contributing factor to their decision to sign Hossain.

"Money has become no object for some of the bigger teams, which has forced smaller clubs to look at alternative ways of strengthening," added Hammond.

"Bangladesh players are good value.

"We contacted players at Premier and Division One level, but some were asking for silly money.

"Some people are having their heads turned by money, so we decided to go down the overseas route."

Blythe have also signed batsman Rory Bailey, from Leek, and are hoping to make further additions.

[cricket_king]

Good on him. Playing in England will hopefully make him a better player. I've always enjoyed the way he has attacked spinners. The conditions in England should allow him to refine his technique against pacers.

[Tiger444]

This is great news for Mehrab. It will definitely help him in the long run playing in England. Even though he hasn't been in the team for a while, he's still a very good prospect for us in tests. I would love our other national team players to join this league since it's unlikely they would get chances at the Division 1 and 2 level. Wish him all the best and hoping he does well.

[Ajfar]

Wow this a big step. Congrats Mehrab. Small opportuniyies like this will lead to bigger things for other players

Posted via BC Mobile Edition (iPhone)

[_Rafi_]

Shakib paved the way. Mehrab should thank Shakib.
Btw congrats to Mehrab. Hopefully that will help him to grow up as a better longer version player.

[bujhee kom]

Alhamdulillah! Congrats Mehrab Jr. This is indeed a great news! Great news for all Bangladeshi professional cricketers!

Cheers and best wishes to both Blythe and Mehrab Jr.

[Rifat]

Alhamdulillah! echo post #6 and i will be keeping a close eye on him

in other words we will be tracking his progress.

He did score decent amount of runs in recent DPL.

[Equinox]

Nothing to get excited about IMO.

[kalpurush]

Its a great news for sure - for Mehrab and Bangladeshi cricketers as well. If he can make an impact which he will inshAllah, it will open the doors for others as well. Money is not a factor here - the great thing is that more and more Bangladeshi players will have the international experience, thus, will co-op with the national team better if they get selected for.

[rashed411]

I wish Nasir or Shabbir was picked as well..

[Holden]

This is good news, hopefully Mehrab gains experience and takes his game to another level. I wish some of the other Bangladeshi players would take a leaf out of his book and follow him into club cricket in England/Australia etc. Not everyone can get a County contract so players like Mushy, Shafiul and especially Ashraful could do a lot worse than play some club cricket, it would help improve their game, and maybe get them noticed by some of the counties.

[jisaan]

Originally Posted by rashed411
I wish Nasir or Shabbir was picked as well..

Oh, they are my words too!

But i want a few of our pacers playing in such leagues
like
Abul Hasan
Alauddin
Dollar
Subhasish..

[BANFAN]

Great News indeed. Wishing him all the best.

After this world cup in 2 years, i'm sure, our players will be everywhere in the world.

[wiseshah]

I think they know who is real player. Jr will be ideal for test team

[lamisa]

that's great to know.he's undoubtedly a good player but at the same time,i don't see him making it to the national team anymore.so it'sw good for him!

[Tiger444]

Originally Posted by lamisa
that's great to know.he's undoubtedly a good player but at the same time,i don't see him making it to the national team anymore.so it'sw good for him!

Can't write him off this early! He's only 23 so he has a lot of time left in his career and our batting especially in tests is still a question mark. So I still feel he has a chance to get back in the fold.

Posted via BC Mobile Edition (Blackberry)

[Tiger-ess]

I think Mehrab jnr has played in English cricket leauges before, so it will be very easy for him to adjust Im guessing. Anyway goodluck Mehrab Hossain Jnr.

[simon]

good luck Mehrab.

[Tiger Manc]

Where is Blythe???

[MohammedC]

Originally Posted by Tiger Manc
Where is Blythe???

Stoke-on-Trent

http://blythe.play-cricket.com/home/aboutUs.asp

I think Hannan Sharkar once played for some clubs around that area.

Posted via BC Mobile Edition (iPhone)

[Eshen]

http://nssc.play-cricket.com/home/home.asp.

This does not look any better than the village league where Ash played. Dozen or so players from Bangladesh each year participate in such leagues, some of them get good money for their service, others not so.

And please people, don't compare this with the county league (or Shakib's involvement with Worcs).

[akabir77]

btw mehrab is also becoming an us citizen... next summer I expect him to play with us (street cricket) if he is in usa... lol

[Ajfar]

^ Mrs. Mehrab ki amrican naki?

[Rifat]

Originally Posted by Eshen
http://nssc.play-cricket.com/home/home.asp.

This does not look any better than the village league where Ash played. Dozen or so players from Bangladesh each year participate in such leagues, some of them get good money for their service, others not so.

And please people, don't compare this with the county league (or Shakib's involvement with Worcs).

to a great extent i agree. However, it is not really about the league he played in, it is about the playing time he will get and the experience, the skill, the improvements he shall acquire. Remember, how Mohammad Ashraful greatly benefited from such experience. I see no harm in Mehrab doing the same

of course, no way this league should be compared with county. but this is definitely better than playing para cricket

[Ajfar]

Mehrab is not the only one who will be playing in this sort of leagues. Check this out



http://www.acecricketexchange.co.uk/players2011.htm