Stars descend on Cleethorpes for annual Twenty20 bash

FORMER England batsman Usman Afzaal will be among the star performers in this year's Cleethorpes Cricket Club Twenty20 competition on Sunday.

Afzaal, who represented England three times in 2001, is part of the West Indian Cavaliers team who face holders Cleethorpes in the second semi-final at 1.30pm.

England's Usman Afzaal is caught out by Australia's Ricky Ponting during the fifth day of the Fifth nPower Test at The Oval, London, Monday 27th August 2001. *EDI* PA Photo : Rebecca Naden
CHAMPS: The Cleethorpes team who won last year's Twenty20 competition at Chichester Road. James Osmond (front third from left) will again captain the side when this year's event swings into action on Sunday.

Newcomers Sheffield Collegiate take on Hull YPI in the opener at Chichester Road, at 10.30am.

Cleethorpes' match-up with the Cavaliers is a repeat of last year's memorable final that saw Sri Lankan guest player Omesh Wijesiriwardena strike a six with three balls of the final over to spare to hand the Meggies victory.

With overseas professional Peter Fulton having returned to New Zealand through injury, Cleethorpes have recruited Andy Simpson, a powerful opener from Scarborough who represented Hull in last year's competition.

They also hope to call on the services of Bourne's Pakistani all-rounder Fahad Masood, who has hit more than 600 runs for Bourne this campaign while taking an astonishing 113 wickets at less than 10 runs per wicket.

Cleethorpes will once again be led by James Osmond but lose the services of brother Alex, who is playing for Lincolnshire in their Minor Counties final against Dorset in Bournemouth.

In addition to Surrey left hander Afzaal, Bilal Shafayet, of Nottinghamshire, will play for the Cavaliers, who gained revenge for their Twenty20 defeat last year by beating Cleethorpes in the National Knockout at Chichester Road earlier this season.

In that match they fielded another former England player: all-rounder Alex Tudor.

This year's competition is sponsored by EA Broadburn (Chemists) Ltd for the sixth consecutive year. Admission is free and refreshments will be available at the ground.