PHIL Bailey is making a surprise comeback for Cheshire after a 12-year absence and at the age of 53.

"I would not put myself up for selection if I didn't think I could make a contribution and benefit the team," he said.

"My ego has nothing to do with it. I'm still fit and healthy and playing well, and I've not lost my competitive instinct."

Bailey retired at the end of his seventh season as captain, during which time he led the side to two Northern League titles, to caddie for Sale's Joanne Morley in America.

He gave that up more than three years ago to work for a company selling equipment to driving ranges.

"That gives me plenty of opportunities to hit a few balls," said the plus one handicapper, who has been persuaded to return by Ray Hughes, the county captain and Caldy clubmate.

Strengthen

"He spotted my game had come back and we've taken it from there," explained Bailey, who has won the Cheshire Championship three times and the matchplay once.

He will help strengthen a side which has lost Adam Stott, Mark Pilling and Mike Jones to the professional ranks, and will have to cope for most of the season without David Horsey, Paul Waring and Ian Winstanley because of international duties.

"At full strength the team looks awesome and the players we have are better than at any time in the county's history.

"These guys are so good I don't think I can offer anything to improve them. If they want to pick my brains they can, but I think I will be left to concentrate on my own game," added Bailey, who has retrieved from a friend the retro putter he gave him after using it so effectively during his last county spell.

Hughes, disappointed that his star players are unlikely to be available for the Northern Counties Championship at Pleasington on June 10, said: "Phil has been playing well and is more readily available.

"We still have a lot of players with experience, such as David Peel, Gareth Bradley, James Murphy and Neil Andrew.

"And Kevin Kean will become more prominent at the top of the order."

And he's planning to reinforce his side with youngsters Craig Lewis, Ian Davie and James West and 16-year-old Adam Wills whose father David is Portal pro.