Semi-final plans hit by absences

BEST laid plans and all that. Team managers John Patterson and Peter Gill were hoping to name an unchanged Saddleworth and District Cricket League XI for Sunday’s Readers InterLeague Knockout semi-final against their Bolton League counterparts at Moorside.

Instead they have been hit by pull-outs, with the bowlers hit hardest. Glodwick’s Mark Whitehead, Mohammed Irfan of Austerlands and Whalley Range’s Waqas Malik are unavailable, as is overseas amateur Darius Cummins, who has been out of the squad for a month.

The selectors hoped to bring in Lee Warburton to play at his home ground, but he suffered a knock last weekend.

Instead they have turned to Saddleworth trio Dave and Pete Roberts and the club’s overseas amateur Michael Jones, who has been keeping wicket but can bowl medium pace.

Michael Bird has been called up as well, making it four Greenfield players in the XI. Saddleworth also have four.

The Bolton League also had a setback this week when Oliver Newby declared himself unfit. He has been replaced by David Tonge, of Farnworth Social Circle.

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