Royton lose pro with broken finger

Photo: Picture Paul Sterritt

CRUEL BREAK: Royton professional Geeth Alwis has seen his Lake Garage CLL campaign end early.

CRICKET: 

ROYTON suffered a double whammy in their defeat by Norden in the Wood Cup final.

The match also featured a season-ending injury for Paddock professional Geeth Alwis. The Sri Lankan was hit on the gloves by a rearing ball from Chris Hartley as Royton chased 159.

Alwis was treated for his injury before returning to the crease - where he was clean-bowled by Martin Smith. Royton’s innings was already in terminal decline.

Almost two weeks on, Alwis learned he had broken the finger and was allowed to return home.

Said Royton chairman Tony Spence: “He can’t hold a bat. The prognosis is for four weeks out, or even longer, so by mutual consent his contract has been terminated.

“He said he wanted a break from cricket and to go home to Sri Lanka and recuperate. There are negotiations over his position here next season, but nothing has been decided.”

With seven Premier Division fixtures to be fulfilled, Royton – like Heyside – are now without a contracted professional. Heyside lost Shadley van Schalkywk in a visa-related issue, and under CLL rules must field deputy professionals until the season’s end.

The same applies to Royton, though the club hopes to find one player to stand in rather than filling in with a different deputy each week.

For Saturday’s home game against Unsworth, Royton will feature India’s Rahul Javed, who plays first-class cricket for Delhi. Javed doesn’t have an affiliated team in England and will travel from London to play.


twitter: @KeithMcHughOC