Cricket: Widnes hand chance to young guns; CHESHIRE LEAGUE CRICKET.

Byline: By DAVID JONES 

WIDNES are placing great emphasis on their youngsters this season.

Despite the strength of the Cheshire County League Premier Division, captain Ian Spencer is giving teenagers Ben Williams (14) and Tom Evans (16) the chance to shine.

Left armspinner Evans won't be asked to step into the void created by Bapa Mukherjee's absence, but he will certainly be handed a greater role in the slow bowling department.

Mukherjee, a Widnes stalwart, commentated on the World Cup for Indian TV and has decided to stay home this summer to concentrate on his new career.

Spencer admitted: "It's a massive blow because he took around 70 wickets and we have not replaced him. Bapa has been one of the best bowlers in the league during the past few years.

"Evans, who is only 16, will certainly be bowling more overs.

"We talked about the situation before the season began and I thought that if we were not replacing him we would not be as strong as last year. Bapa bowled 25 overs a game so now the local lads will get the opportunity.

"I have never seen as young a side as we have now. There is Tom and Sean Moore, an under- 19, who has played for the first team in the past two years.

"Williams is only 14 and has got plenty of runs opening the batting for the seconds. He played last Saturday and will be involved in the first teamthis season. We also have James Mc-Coy and Danny Naughton at under- 21 who have been playing regular first teamcricket.

"We are putting the ownership on our lads rather than having one person doing a lot of bowling.

I think we will be okay but it will be a testing year for us."

Australian all-rounder Neil Barfuss has joined the Cheshire side for the current campaign.

"I met him while I was out in Australia during the winter and also played against him," said Spencer. "He has been opening the attack for us but is more of a batsman than bowler. However, if he gets 25-30 wickets I would be happy."

Spencer enjoyed his time out there, keeping wicket for Baxter, in Melbourne. "I had 48 victims in 12 games and we finished top of the league. But we lost in the play-off in the grand finals. The club had not made the finals since 1969 so it was a great achievement.

"It's been one of my best years behind the stumps."

Saturday: The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County Premier League: Chester Boughton Hall v Nantwich, Christleton v Oulton Park, Toft v Neston, Urmston v Widnes. First Division: Birkenhead Park v Oxton, Upton v Heaton Mersey.

Second Division: Cheadle Hulme v Warrington, Grappenhall v Burnage, Irby v Tattenhall.