Cricket: Idle have sprung a major surprise by signing Lidget Green's star batsman Hassan Adnan.

The Second Division club have snapped up the 1999 Bradford League leading runscorer in a bid to revive their fortunes for the 2000 season.

Adnan scored 1,261 runs during the season as he helped Lidget Green finish second to runaway Division Two champions Yeadon and clinch promotion to the top flight.

Lidget Green captain Ijaz Khan was philosophical about the Pakistani batsman's decision. He said: "Obviously, I am disappointed about it.

"I think he would have done well in the First Division, but his prime concern is getting a contract and the kind of offer he has got from Idle is something we couldn't compete with.

"I wish him all the best. He has done well for us."

At least five First Division clubs will have new captains next season. Opening batsman Mark Gilliver has succeeded Russell Heritage as captain of relegated Undercliffe.

Another relegated club, Spen Victoria are also changing their captain, all-rounder Andrew Walker taking over from Andrew Bethel who has joined Pudsey Congs along with wicketkeeper Gary Brook.

Windhill captain Mark Brad-ford is another player joining Matthew Doidge's Congs side.

He has been succeeded as skipper at Busy Lane by opening bowler Greg Colehan.

Yorkshire Bank have appointed Pudsey St Lawrence opener James Goldthorp as their new captain.

He succeeds Jatin Paranjape who is returning to Bank next season after an outstanding season in which he failed to reach 1,000 runs by just 27.

Farsley opener Richard Gould is joining East Bierley who have also signed his team-mate, all-rounder Matthew Barnes.

Gould has been a consistent run scorer in recent seasons while Barnes will bolster the sometimes brittle middle-order.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.