Oldham club in shock after overseas players are assaulted in city centre attack

Justin Watson and Marques Ackerman were assaulted on Yorkshire Street in the Greater Manchester town after leaving nightspot Liquid and Envy on Friday, July 27

^{South African bowler Justin Watson was assaulted in Oldham}

A north west cricket club has been left in a state of shock after its two South African overseas players were assaulted on a night out in Oldham.

Justin Watson, 20, and Marques Ackerman, 22, were “set upon” by seven men on Yorkshire Street in the Greater Manchester town in the early hours of Friday, July 27.

Ackerman was knocked unconscious by a punch to the back of the head, while Watson was left with a broken and badly dislocated jaw, which subsequently became infected.

The bowler, who has played for Lancashire 2nd XI during 2018, had trials scheduled with Northamptonshire and was hoping for a professional career in county cricket, has since undergone three separate operations - the most recent of which was completed on Thursday morning.

He has not been able to consume solid food for the best part of three weeks and, according to club members, has lost around two stone in weight. His mother has flown over from South Africa to be with her son during his recovery.

It has all added up to a tumultuous and trying time for Shaw.

^{Watson, 20, has been playing for Shaw and Lancashire 2nd XI this season}

The club’s captain, Steve Whiston, told The Cricketer: “It was an unpleasant call, to have to ring his dad to tell him Justin is in hospital and has been seriously attacked.

“They’ve been over this summer to visit, and to ring up and say that when they’d had such a good time at the club was really disappointing.

“They were full of worry. It’s left the family pretty traumatised.

“I think Justin needed his mum. He’s only 20. Let’s be honest, we’re all mummy’s boys at heart, when you’re feeling pretty down.

“We’re in contact all the time. As a club we’ve all been pulling together to visit.

“They gave our club a lot and we want to be there to look after him as best we can.

“We do feel responsible to a point."

Ackerman, Shaw’s overseas pro, has already been recalled to South Africa by his province.

Having spent a considerable time in hospital since the attack, Watson, who holds a British passport, is due to return to before the end of the month.

^{Former South Africa Under-19 international Marques Ackerman was also attacked}

His club are planning a benefit match, to help raise money to cover the costs of his mother’s emergency flight to the UK and subsequent accommodation and transport fees.

The T20 exhibition game is set to be held at the club’s Holebottom Clough ground on Friday, July 24 at 6.30pm, with Shaw aiming to raise around £700.

Contact has been made with Lancashire over the availability of some of their second-team players for the game, but Shaw are keen for other pros playing locally to get involved.

“Justin has been wonderful for the club all year,” Whiston said. “We wanted to make sure his family aren’t out of pocket because of what’s happened - raise some money for his mum’s flight, her accommodation, car hire, car parking fees at the hospital which are really expensive.

“We’ve had a huge amount of support and we thought we’d take advantage. I believe there’s quite a lot of interest in the 2nd XI players at Lancashire who Justin played with.

“One cricket club has offered to pay £1 a run for whatever their pro and overseas amateur get, which is a fantastic offer and shows what a great community the cricket community is."

The impact has been keenly felt at Shaw, where a promotion tilt has been scuppered by the loss of their two best players and junior coaching sessions have had to be cancelled because of their enforced absence.

“It has a much wider consequence than just Saturday cricket. These lads were up at the club every night of the week, wanting to improve our junior section. They’re both fantastic lads," Whiston said.

“I’ve brought overseas lads over a lot and I’ve never seen two lads integrate into a club so well. Whether it be with our elder statesman who come and watch, they always have time for them. Whether it’s the kids’ parents, the kids, whether it’s engaging with the under-sevens or whatever it may be, they were there.

^{Shaw are staging a benefit for Watson, who has undergone three separate surgeries on a broken and dislocated jaw}

“They’ve become such an integral part of this club and to see them attacked in this way is pretty disgusting really… it’s very disgusting.

“Forget the cricket side on a Saturday - which is massive, don’t get me wrong, and it might cost us a promotion which is very disappointing - it’s just a huge loss for the club.”

Two men, aged 20 and 27, have been arrested over the incident in Oldham on July 27 and released under investigation.

A Greater Manchester Police statement read: “Police were called shortly before 4am on Friday 27 July 2018 after two men were assaulted on Yorkshire Street, Oldham.

“Two men, aged 20 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault and have been released under investigation.”

Any clubs or their pros interested in being a part of the benefit match at Shaw should contact the club via social media or email - cricketclub.shaw@gmail.com