Former Yorkshire batsman Chris Taylor has backed Woodlands and Lightcliffe for JCT600 Bradford League success this summer.

Taylor believes the Albert Terrace side are well equipped to better their fifth-place finish in Division One last season and reclaim the title they owned between 2005 and 2008.

And he admitted, jokingly, that “I’d get shot if I don’t say Lightcliffe will go up”.

There is plenty of bias in the prolific right-hander’s second prediction. Taylor is, after all, one of their key batsmen.

He finished last summer with an impressive haul of 1,182 runs from 19 matches, scoring more than anybody else in both divisions.

Lightcliffe missed out on promotion by three points last term but have strengthened well over the winter, signing Division One trio Alex Stead, Chris Greenwood and Gary Severn.

“On paper we look a strong side but there’s plenty of good teams in that division,” said Taylor, who is also on the league’s committee.

The 30-year-old batsman admits to missing the adrenaline buzz of county cricket but has replaced that by playing in a league competition which he believes is one of the best around.

Taylor said: “I think it’s head and shoulders above other leagues in Yorkshire. We’ve been quite progressive as a committee to try and replicate what’s happening at professional level with things like fielding restrictions and leg-side wides.

“I’ve played in a number of leagues in the north of England during my career and I’d like to think that the Bradford League is one of the best two.”

In terms of players to keep an eye on this summer, Taylor has pinpointed Pudsey Congs’ young wicketkeeper Barney Gibson as Yorkshire’s next gloveman after Jonny Bairstow.

“He is the most talented young cricketer I’ve seen for a long time,” said Taylor, who has worked with 14-year-old Gibson at his Pro Coach Cricket Academy.