Reigning Cumbria Cricket League Premier Division champions Carlisle Cricket Club have fought off interest from other clubs to sign all-rounder Paul Hindmarch for their 2020 season.

Former Durham man Hindmarch, who hails from Keswick, has spent the past two years coaching at Surrey’s Whitgift School.

Family circumstances mean he’s moving back to the county, and he says he’s looking forward to playing for Carlisle.

“Once people found out I was returning, I had a few offers,” he said.

“But Carlisle captain Marc Brown really sold me the idea of playing down at Edenside.

"It’s a club on the up. They won the league last year with a team of mainly local lads, who came through the junior set-up.”

Hindmarch began his career at his hometown club of Keswick, before he joined Durham, where he progressed through the ranks.

Although injuries held him back, he went on to play both Minor Counties Cricket for Cumberland, and with the Unicorns, as he tried to get back into the first-class game.

A year at Penrith in the Northern Premier League then followed, before the move south to coach at Whitgift School, which has produced the likes of England opener Jason Roy.

Hindmarch said: “I had a fantastic time there, and it was a wrench to leave, but I’m hoping to complete my Level Four coaching qualification, so [I] will be looking to carry on my coaching with young players here, too.”

Skipper Brown was thrilled to make Hindmarch his first close-season capture.

“Paul is a genuinely talented cricketer,” he said.

“He’s still young and will, not only give us a genuine all-round option as we look to defend our title, but we’re hoping he’ll play a full part in developing our young cricketers, too.

"I know other clubs were interested, so we’ve beaten them to his signature.”

Carlisle’s senior players will start pre-season training in the New Year.