Werneth hit by pro blow

REHAN RAFIQ proved to be a superb deputy professional for Werneth at Middleton on Sunday.

CRICKET: WERNETH has been dealt a hammer blow with the news that professional Kaushalya Gajasinghe will not be coming to England to play at the Coppice.

The news ends a month-long, will-he won’t-he saga over the Sri Lankan’s availability for the current Lake Garage CLL season.

The 23-year-old all-rounder’s arrival was delayed when he was included in a 30-strong Sri Lanka ‘A’ team squad for internationals against Pakistan and South Africa.

He was subsequently released from that squad and Werneth expected him to arrive last weekend. Werneth skipper Ian Dronsfield said: “Last Wednesday he went to collect his visa before going to the Sri Lankan Board for authority to come over here. They refused, because there were emerging players’ matches against South Africa and India and he might be needed.

“We are bitterly disappointed. We signed him last November and this has left us in a mess. We will have to make do with stand-in professionals this weekend, but are looking at alternatives for the longer term.”

Werneth was at least lifted by Sunday’s win at Middleton, in which stand-in professional Rehan Rafiq of Glodwick produced a superb all-round display.

A fantastic knock of 136 was followed by a bowling return of seven for 45. Dronsfield said: “He did a great job, but he was well supported by a few of the amateurs, which augurs well. We know we are not in for the easiest of seasons, but we are aiming to be competitive.”

Werneth is one of two local sides involved in the preliminary round of the JW Lees Bitter Wood Cup on Sunday - away to Monton and Weaste, while Royton entertain Milnrow.

The extra round in this year’s competition has been caused by the addition to the league of two new teams in Heyside and Elton.



twitter: @KeithMcHughOC