Matthew Arnold in action for Titans at Centurion Park
Alton’s incoming South African all-rounder Matt Arnold has been in good form in his country’s domestic provincial cricket, scoring an unbeaten century and celebrating a five-wicket haul in Easterns’ recent CSA innings victory against Free State in Bloemfontein.
The 32-year old, who is earmarked as Alton’s overseas player in the ECB Southern Premier League this summer, hit an undefeated 104 before taking 5-32 as Easterns romped to an innings and 46-run victory.
He also took 3-34 before hitting a match winning 44 not out in Easterns’ 1-Day Cup victory over KZN Inland.
As a middle-order left-hand batsman and sharp right-arm medium-fast bowler who played for South Africa in the 1998 ICC Under-19 World Cup, Arnold will have plenty to offer the Brewers if he manages to get a flight to England next month.
Skipper Dan Harris hopes he arrives in time for Alton’s attractive warm-up matches at Henley (April 10), Wokingham (April 17) and Farnham (April 24) ahead of the planned SPL opener against Burridge on May 1.
Arnold has plenty of provincial cricket experience in his native South Africa, with 130 appearances to his name principally for Gauteng, Easterns and Northern Titans in the past 15 years or so, hitting two first class hundreds, 15 half-centuries and taking over 300 wickets.
Alton anticipate Arnold, a fully qualified Cricket South Africa coach, will take a full and active part in their successful junior cricket programme. They were Hampshire Under-19 champions last summer.
The Brewers have also been boosted by the arrival of Hampshire Academy captain and top order batsman Fletcha Middleton for the coming Premier League campaign.
The 32-year old, who is earmarked as Alton’s overseas player in the ECB Southern Premier League this summer, hit an undefeated 104 before taking 5-32 as Easterns romped to an innings and 46-run victory.
He also took 3-34 before hitting a match winning 44 not out in Easterns’ 1-Day Cup victory over KZN Inland.
As a middle-order left-hand batsman and sharp right-arm medium-fast bowler who played for South Africa in the 1998 ICC Under-19 World Cup, Arnold will have plenty to offer the Brewers if he manages to get a flight to England next month.
Skipper Dan Harris hopes he arrives in time for Alton’s attractive warm-up matches at Henley (April 10), Wokingham (April 17) and Farnham (April 24) ahead of the planned SPL opener against Burridge on May 1.
Arnold has plenty of provincial cricket experience in his native South Africa, with 130 appearances to his name principally for Gauteng, Easterns and Northern Titans in the past 15 years or so, hitting two first class hundreds, 15 half-centuries and taking over 300 wickets.
Alton anticipate Arnold, a fully qualified Cricket South Africa coach, will take a full and active part in their successful junior cricket programme. They were Hampshire Under-19 champions last summer.
The Brewers have also been boosted by the arrival of Hampshire Academy captain and top order batsman Fletcha Middleton for the coming Premier League campaign.
