With thanks to Tom Evans @ Merseyside Cricket Online (merseysidecricket.com can be supported @ https://buymeacoffee.com/tomevanscricket)
Newton-le-Willows’ Ben Walkden on batting, bowling, captaincy… and waiting for the call
Ben Walkden is adding a captaincy string to his all-rounder’s bow… and if he takes to it as well as has the other disciplines, watch out Premier Division.
One of four men to do the all-rounder’s double of 400 runs and 40 wickets last year, Walkden is taking the reins at Newton-le-Willows from Chris Chambers.
Fresh from a winter in Melbourne with Airport West St Christopher’s, he is raring to go.
And his side have made enough quality additions to suggest they could spring a few surprises this year.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “I’m slightly new to captaincy, though I did the odd game last year when Chris was unavailable.
“We’ve got a really good crop of young players that I’ve known for years and I can’t wait to get going.”
Since making his Newton 1st XI debut on his 13th birthday in 2015, Walkden has become known as one of the Comp’s biggest batting talents.
A haul of 915 runs in the Prem in 2022 was followed by a division-high 715 as Newton earned promotion in 2023, and 687 last year.
But in recent years, he has also taken on more of a leading role with the ball – culminating in last year’s personal best of 40 wickets, fifth in the division among seamers.
He’s the sort of player who always wants to be involved, and he’s good enough that none of his teammates mind one bit.
Walkden said: “My game is in a really good place, so I’m looking forward to going again in April.
“The more overs I bowl, I’ve just found a really good rhythm and I’ve been trusted more with opening the bowling.
“I’ve had a really strong focus on improving my skills, and I feel in a really good place with my bowling, though I would say I’m more of a batter.
“I’m just trying to perfect both skills, I feel like if one doesn’t go my way I can improve with the other.”
The headline winter signing was Adnan Miakhel from Wigan, the Afghan refugee who wowed Andrew Flintoff on TV while also making a name for himself as a powerful all-rounder.
As well as middle-order biffing, he gives Walkden a second left-arm seam option alongside Leo Spilsbury.
But their overseas signing should turn a few heads too – Hamish McKenzie, a left-arm wrist spinner lately of the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League.
“His action is something new for us,” Walkden added. “We wanted someone who’d be around the club and be hands-on with the coaching.
“He’s not going to bowl 25 overs so I can’t wait to utilise the squad a bit more.
“In years to come, I hope that can help set us up in a really strong way.
“Adnan has obviously got some good experience, he’s very destructive with the bat and will play a major role with the ball.”
With the experience of Chambers behind the stumps still, Walkden is confident his squad is strong enough to challenge the division’s top six, after a comfortable eighth place last year.
He said: “Across the board, I’d like to feel like we’ve got most bases covered.
“Over the last couple of years, there have been different points where we can improve and I’ve just tried to add my experience of what we needed.
“I’m really excited to get going – we’ve got a strong squad this year and I’m excited to see where we go.
“We want to aim for the top half, and have a run at a Lancashire Cup spot.”
Walkden considers himself one of the more experienced heads at the club, and has 136 1st XI games under his belt to back that up.
But he is still only 22. While Newton will be his main focus this summer, he has not given up on higher honours yet.
Consistently eye-catching league returns have earned him a regular slot in the Cumbria XI for the National Counties Championship, and 2nd XI chances with Derbyshire and Lancashire.
It hasn’t happened yet – but that doesn’t mean it won’t.
“The coaching situation at Cumbria has changed but hopefully I can start again and see where we get to,” Walkden said.
“It’s a long season so I’m hoping to stick around.
“The Comp is where you want to play to get noticed, and if I can have another good year and get my name out there, then hopefully I can get an opportunity.
“I’m hoping for a call sooner rather than later.”
With thanks to Tom Evans @ Merseyside Cricket Online (merseysidecricket.com can be supported @ https://buymeacoffee.com/tomevanscricket)
