Sawley CC can confirm the departure of First-Team player Carl Cruz, who has relocated away from the area.

A popular player during his 2 spells at the club, Cruz made his Sawley debut on 22nd April 2017, on West Park against Derby Congregational, taking 2/24 in a Division 2 clash.

Carl went on to play 92 times for the club in his first spell, before leaving for Risley for the 2021 season. Cruz, affectionally known as 'The Missile', returned ahead of the 2023 season and went to make another 75 Sawley appearances.

Cruz helped the club achieve promotion in 2023, taking 33 wickets, and was named 'Captains Player' in our Premier League campaign of 2024, contributing 23 Premier League wickets. His 52 league wickets in 2019 helped the club return to Division 1, as we were crowned Second Division Champions.

Despite representing other clubs in the area, Sawley was always Carl's home, and the club he considered 'his' club.

In total , Cruz played 168 games for the club, scoring 2148 runs, at an average of just shy of 20, with 7 scores of 50+.

His 299 wickets, put's him 7th on our leading wicket-takers list of the 21st century, and with 284 of those at First-Team level, Cruz is our leading first-team wicket-taker this century.

In an emotional farewell to his fellow teammates, Cruz added "This has been a tough decision... I wish you all the best for this season... I'm going to miss you all, but I will come down to West Park and see you all again...."

Everyone at Sawley CC wishes 'The Missile' all the best in his new life, and from the bottom of our hearts, we thank him for all his efforts whilst representing our cricket club.

Good luck, Carl, and thank you #SuperSawley