Norden are delighted to announce the signing of exciting Australian all-rounder Mitchell Owen as professional for the 2024 season. 22-year-old Owen plays for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield and the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash.
An aggressive right-handed batter and a right-arm seam bowler, he has established himself in first-class cricket this season, making two half-centuries and taking regular wickets during Tasmania’s rise to the top of the table. The club would like to thank Robbie Humphries at WSX Cricket for helping to facilitate the deal and everyone is looking forward to welcoming Mitch for the start of the season.
https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/mitchell-owen-1213979
We recently caught up with Mitch and he said “I can’t wait to get over to the UK and get stuck in with the boys at Norden CC. The Lancs league is spoken very highly of over here in Aus and I’m really excited I get to experience what it has to offer. Stez Wild has told me a lot about the club, so I’m counting down the days til I get over there”
In further good news, Dom Humphreys is returning to Stag Park after a 2-year absence. The club jumped at the chance to re-sign him as soon as it became clear he would be leaving Heywood. Dom’s all-round talent and energy in the field are well-known to all at Norden and he will be a huge asset on and off the field next season.
Leaving the club, though, are Mo Munawar, Usama Malik and Kabir Ahmed:
Munawar has spent nearly a decade at Norden, taking over 250 wickets and helping the club out by captaining an extremely young 2nd XI as we came out of Covid. His ability to prodigiously swing the new-ball made him a real handful at any level and he was the leading wicket-taker in Junior Division 1 in 2023. Always keen to play and make himself available for any team, even playing for all 3 senior sides in one weekend on one occasion, Munny has been a tremendous servant for the club.
Malik divided his Norden career between the 1st and 2nd XI’s. He garnered a reputation for dismissing opposing professionals and his game-winning final over in the Lancashire Knockout against Denton St Lawrence in 2022 was a real highlight.
Ahmed scored 1400 runs in the 2nd XI in just 2 seasons. His remarkable 2022 season yielded 897 runs and his unbeaten, match-winning century in the cup quarter-final against Littleborough this year won him the club’s batting performance of the year award.
All leave with the best wishes and thanks of all at Norden.