Thursday February 10th 2005

Accrington have confirmed that Tama Canning will be returning this coming season. The New Zealand all rounder has been given permission by his state to return for a third full season and the club have received a signed contract back from the 27 year-old.

Last season Canning was a revelation, turning in no fewer then eight match winning performances as Accrington climbed the table to 11th after winning nine matches, their best since 2000. In league matches, Tama hit 931 runs at 66.5 with five half centuries and three unbeaten centuries and he also took 56 wickets with a best of 6-45 in the win at Enfield. It was Tama's batting exploits that made the league sit up and take notice with match winning innings a regular feature of his play - 73 not out against Colne, 80 not out at Burnley, 101 not out against Rawtenstall, 79 at Todmorden, 122 not out at Rishton, 70 not out against Nelson and finally a massive unbeaten 151 at Colne before he left to join the New Zealand A tour of South Africa.

Canning has also been in great form during the Winter. He took a career best 6-44 and then hit 115, which was another career best, for Auckland against Northern Districts as his side won by an innings and 89 runs in Hamilton to move to the top of the State Championship in December.

The club also has a new Secretary. Marion Ormerod takes up the role vacated by Duncan Warburton last May.