A RESPECTED batsman has re-joined a Cumbrian cricket club, just in time for their return to action.

Ryan Carruthers is the latest signing for Cockermouth Cricket Club and returns to the squad for their 2021 fixtures after eight seasons away.

First Team captain and club chairman Gareth White said: “It’s brilliant to get Ryan back. Obviously he’s a fantastic player. I think he further strengthens our already-strong batting line-up.”

White is motivated to lead the side, with the addition of Carruthers, when the Cumbria Cricket League is back under way in April.

“Ryan is a great character in the dressing room as well as a great player. On the pitch, he’ll only add to what we’ve got.”

White said: “The news on Monday, in terms of society as a whole, was welcome by everyone and it looks like cricket will be back on-time.”

Cockermouth Cricket Club took part in a T20 tournament in 2020.

White said: “It was a strange period. From our perspective, it was a very disappointing end for us because we put in a poor performance at Keswick which has fuelled the fire for us. It’s given us a whole winter to have that as our last performance.”

Keswick won the Lukeys Sports Cumbria Cricket League play-off match versus Cockermouth by 21 runs. White said: “We want to banish that from our memory.”

But there is a positive vibe at the club with preparations under way for the return of cricket, including refurbishment of their pavilion.

“Everybody seems very focussed this year. I get the impression from the lads that they’re hungry for it. They’ve got the bit between the teeth for the coming season.”

First up for Cockermouth in the Cumbria Cricket League is a home game against Carlisle on April 17.