Gerhard (Gerry) Strydom flies in from South Africa to take up his playing and coaching position for the season. He comes highly recommended by many and his left hand batting and right arm bowling should add another dimension to the Lisburn team.
The new professional has proved himself at the highest level in South African league cricket and Lisburn captain Trevor McKeown can look forward to some significant contributions from the all rounder. The team itself for the coming season will show little change from last year but Trevor is determined to put that disappointing term behind him and hope for some good results and importantly some good weather for the early games. Last season was probably the wettest for many years and it made any continuity almost impossible in a 'fits and starts ' season.
Already, Lisburn have travelled to Malahide for a friendly last Saturday and tomorrow they take part in a Twenty/20 competition at Comber. It is a group tournament with Ardmore, Downpatrick and North Down being in their section.
It will be an opportunity for the professional to get his feet and for Lisburn to set themselves up for the difficult start to the season.
On Saturday week they take on CIYMS at Belmont Road, followed by a Bank Holiday weekend when they travel to Waringstown on Saturday, May 3 and also travel to North Down on bank Holiday Monday. Far from the easiest of starts but one which will give captain Trevor McKeown some sort of yard stick for the coming season as his team takes on probably the two top teams in the League.