Alderley Edge is delighted to announce the signing of kiwi quick James Naylor ahead of their 2022 Cheshire County League campaign.

Naylor is a right-arm pacer pushing for Northern Knight’s selection in New Zealand domestic cricket.

The opening bowler will, though, be hard-pressed to crack the Knights squad that includes the likes of Blackcaps quicks Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, and Colin de Grandhomme, to name but a few. Nevertheless, Naylor has high hopes and is progressing nicely towards higher honours in future.

He has been involved with the Northern Districts set-up for the past few years, featuring at the National Under-19 (Dec 2018), and Provincial A Tournaments (Jan 2021). He has also been a stand-out for Counties Manakau in the various Minor Association competitions (Fergus Hickey Rosebowl, Brian Dunning Cup, and Hawke Cup).

At Premier club level in recent years, Naylor has taken 20 wickets at 16.25 (2020/21), and 15 wickets at 21 (2019/20) for Manukau City, alongside 14 wickets at 14 wickets at 23.21 (2020/21), and 10 wickets at 24.30 (2019/20) for Counties Manukau.

Whilst known for his bowling, Naylor has very high standards in the field and is a more than useful lower-order batter. Naylor is a hard-working cricketer keen to push towards State selection.

In a view towards his development, he is set to play abroad in 2022 having recently signed with Alderley Edge for their Cheshire County League campaign.