CHAMPIONS Settle start their defence of the Ribblesdale League title at Salesbury on Saturday.

Their outstanding overseas young player Sadrian Ward is back having taken the competition by storm in his debut season.

As well as winning a championship medal and bowling award, Baz was Settle Player of the Year, Ribblesdale League Player of the Year, the league's top six hitter and its Young Player of the Year.

His demolition of most opening attacks and entertaining calypso knocks at the top of the order were a joy to watch, as was his athleticism with the ball and in the field.

He took a hat-trick against Ribblesdale Wanderers and no-one will forget his stunning outfield catch against Barnoldswick, running in at speed and taking the ball an inch above the ground.

Ward, known affectionately as Baz, is joined this year by fellow Barbadian Shakeel Richards, a 22-year-old opening bat and off-spin bowling all-rounder.

Shakeel plays in the Barbados Elite Premiership with Barbados Defence Force against West Indies internationals such as Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Jommel Warrican and Omar Phillips and is more than holding his own.

Last season he took 30 wickets gaining a top 15 entry into the elite averages and had a best match return of 11/86.

In 13 matches he broke the 500 run mark at 556 with a highest score of 63.

Richards was capped at under-15 level for the West Indies before joining the Carlton club.

A hard-hitting batsman, he was one of Carlton’s top performers in 2016 with 380 runs and 15 wickets.

The first team is again skippered by Tom Davidson, while the second team still hold their place in Division One under Ben Mitchell.

The clubhouse has recently been extended and refurbished, making the venue even more attractive for players and spectators at Marshfield.