BARNT Green have made their first signing of the winter after landing the signature of Zain Ul-Hassan from Birmingham League Division Three side Stourbridge.
Ul-Hassan made 23 league appearances last season, scoring 660 runs at an average of 31.43 and claimed 34 wickets as Stourbridge avoided the drop by 37 points.
The Worcestershire academy ace wanted to challenge himself at a higher level of cricket, according to Green skipper Andrew Sutton.
And after a number of discussions, Sutton confirmed Ul-Hassan has made the three-level jump to play in the Birmingham League Premier Division with the Cherry Hill Road side.
“I have known Zain for a quite a while,” he said.
“He’s a top left-handed batsman and can also bowl right-arm swing so he offers plenty of options.
“Zain wanted to test himself at a higher level and I had a chat with him to explain where he would stand.
“He said that he had a few other offers in for him but luckily he has chosen us.
“It is a great signing for us and hopefully he can bolster up the young ranks we have at the club.”
After having an overseas player in James Psarakis last season, Sutton revealed this year the Green would not be looking at bringing in somebody from abroad.
“James was a fantastic lad to have around,” he said.
“He did not score as many runs as he and the club liked to but we were grateful for his efforts.
“But this season we want to invest our time and money keeping our young lads or get new ones in who could be around for the next ten years or even longer.
“It is our ethos to try and promote from within and have local lads who want to progress.”