Carrickfergus Cricket Club has announced the signing of the experienced Indian all-rounder Indrajeet Kamtekar from Muckamore, and the return after a season with Lurgan of young Irish qualified New Zealander Jamie Holmes.
Left arm spinner and middle order batsman Kamtekar will be returning for a twelfth season in NCU cricket, following successful spells at Donaghcloney, Dunmurry, and Muckamore, where he has spent the last 6 seasons. He was a major contributor with both bat and ball to the success enjoyed by Muckamore in the last couple of seasons when they have picked up an array of trophies, culminating in the Ulster Bank Section 1 title last season, when he scored 583 runs and took 36 wickets.
Top order batsman Holmes will be returning for a fourth season in NI, despite still being only 21 years old. He spent two previous seasons with Carrick in 2010 and 2011, scoring a total of 1200 runs as well as taking 29 wickets with his leg spin, and after a season with Lurgan he has decided to return to the East Antrim club. Holmes has roots in the Province, and will be hoping to add to last season’s appearances for the Northern Knights, who he played for in the T20 Interprovincial championship.
Both players will also be heavily involved in the Carrick Club’s coaching programme. Kamtekar will take responsibility for the Club’s adult practice sessions, and will be carrying out individual coaching with the Club’s most promising young players. Holmes has been appointed as Youth Development Coach and will be in overall charge of the youth teams, as well as carrying out the Club’s extensive coaching programme in local schools. A spokesman for the Carrick club said “We are delighted to have secured the services of Kamy and Jamie, and look forward to both of them making a positive contribution to our Club, both on and off the field this season”. The Club, who were relegated in 2012 after nine seasons at the top level of NCU cricket, will be hoping that their two new signings will help them improve on last season’s mid-table position in Section 1, and maybe a push for promotion back to the Premier League in 2014.