ALI ZARYAB scored his sixth century of the season for Barnsley Woolley Miners who are hoping to keep him for longer than just this year in which he could help them to promotion.

The Shaw Laners won at home to Aston Hall on Saturday thanks to 125 from their Pakistani opener who has scored 1,367 runs in total at an average of 91.

Captain Boeta Beukes said: “It was another great innings from Prince Ali as we’re calling him now. He’s made a big impact. After a tough loss last week, he gave us a telling off. He’s not usually very vocal so that made an impression and shows how much he cares about the club. He’s putting up massive numbers and batting with him helps us all a lot.

“You sometimes get lucky with an overseas. We knew he was good but we didn’t expect him to have this much of an impact. I am sure other teams will get in his ears but hopefully we can tie him down. If we get promoted, I think he will be even better in the higher league.”

Barnsley are in the second promotion place, ten points behind leaders Ackworth and ten clear of third-placed Elsecar. Beukes said: “We feel very confident. The win over Ackworth in the cup last week really helped.

“We’ve still got a chance of finishing top. We’re wanting to go for first place.

“We have a big game next at Aston Hall who are fourth and one of the two teams to beat us in the first half of the league season. We want to push away from them in the table but it will be a tough game and probably at high-scoring game.

“We have to make sure we beat them.”