Newport’s wait to welcome overseas professional Rajat Bhatia to Audley Avenue is finally over – with the all-rounder due to arrive England tonight.
Bhatia has been delayed due to Indian Premier League commitments and on-going visa problems.
But he is set to make his seasonal bow tomorrow against Olton & WW after arriving at Heathrow Airport at 6pm tonight.
“There has been a big visa backlog in Delhi so we have had to wait,” said secretary Tony Finch.
“But we were hopeful that he might be here for this weekend and we are delighted.”
Bhatia’s arrival can’t come soon enough as his side are struggling near the foot of the table with a quarter of the season gone.
Their cause will be also be boosted with the return of opening batsman Paul Furness.
“We feel as though anyone can beat anyone in this league and we are confident we will turn it around in the future,” Finch added.
In contrast, Bridgnorth have made a sterling start to the campaign and are hoping two successive home games will help them cash in further.
They entertain Coleshill tomorrow and fellow high-flyers Milford Hall next week knowing a brace of victories will cement their place in the top two.
Sam Whitney misses tomorrow’s clash but Jason Frances returns to the team.
Whitchuch head to Studley hoping they can start building some momentum to climb into a promotion challenging position.
The unavailability of captain Derek Ashley due to work in recent weeks has led to young Shropshire batsman Richard Oliver leading the side.
St Georges will have their sights on climbing out of the bottom four of division two when mid-table Cannock head to Church Street.
They are set to name an unchanged team.
By JAMES GARRISON
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