BASHLEY (Rydal) seconds will have a special guest watching the closing stages of their Southern Electric Premier Division 2 match against Langley Manor – New Zealand international Luke Ronchi.

The big hitting Black Caps batsman- wicketkeeper plans to visit his old Bashley haunts after today’s ODI practice session at the Ageas Bowl.

Ronchi spent three seasons with Bashley in his teenage years – frequently smashing the ball around the BCG – and has kept in touch with the New Forest club ever since.

“It’s always great to see Ronchs at the BCG. He’s never forgotten his roots, which is fantastic bearing in mind what he has achieved in international cricket,” smiled his old team-mate Neil Taylor.

On a high Bashley go into the Langley Manor game on a high after beating Fawley by six wickets last week.

Paultons host OTs & Romsey looking to keep pace with leaders Portsmouth, who enjoy a 13-point cushion at the top of SEPL2.

Paultons: Richman, Robinson, Wateridge, Hall, Collins, Feltham, O’Brien, Murrell, Lamb, Pike, Denney.

Table toppers Portsmouth, minus their left-arm spinner Andy Marston, go to Hambledon, who are without influential trio Rupert Hetherington, Jack Lavous and Ian Turner.

  • Three pages of local cricket appear in this weekend's Sports Pink, on sale this morning.
  • SEPL top flight spotlight appears in next Monday's Echo.