Lancs League hoping to beat the weather

CRICKET

THE Fosters Lancashire League campaign begins in earnest this weekend with the weather set fair for action on Sunday.

The 2017 season stalled on the starting blocks last weekend with rain accounting for all eight matches.

The only game to get underway featured newcomers Great Harwood, who travelled to Colne and made 73-5 having been put into bat before the weather hit.

Mas Ahmed got off to a promising start for the visitors with a couple of boundaries, but Andy Hakin picked up his wicket with the experienced batsman on 11. Hamim Miah then fell to John Lambert before pro Ashen Silva offered some resistance with a knock of 28. Kegg went on to collect the wickets of Allan Armer (4) and Paul Houldsworth (2) with Silva still at the crease on 25 runs when rain forced an early end.

Haslingden play host to Colne this weekend and will hope to take advantage of the fact their India A captain, Unmukt Chand, is yet to arrive. The game will see Haslingden pro Nicholas Benton, a 25-year-old Aussie, make his debut.

Darwen make their Lancashire League bow when they entertain Church, who include Usman Tariq as sub pro.

Former Accrington professional Ockert Erasmus will be among the Lowerhouse ranks when they play host to Ramsbottom, who lost Daryn Smit to Derbyshire over the close season and recruited Grant Thomson to fill his sizeable shoes.

Rawtenstall are on the road at Nelson with Andrew Payne set to make his bow as pro.

Clitheroe will field a sub-pro in their home match against Burnley.

Kelly Smuts will line up for new club Todmorden when they take on Enfield.