Green light for pro Gajasinghe

MORE OF THE SAME? Scott Bloor took six for 86 the last time Heyside played Werneth, so he will be looking forward to Saturday’s rematch at the Coppice.

CRICKET: 

WERNETH are a club in need of a lift - and they hope to get it this weekend.

Contracted professional Kaushalya Gajasinghe has his visa and is already booked on a flight to the UK from his native Sri Lanka.

Gajasinghe’s arrival has been delayed because of doubts over his availability - he was provisionally named in his country’s ‘A’ team squad for summer internationals against Pakistan and South Africa, but has now been released.

Fellow Sri Lankan Saliya Saman (Millom CC of the North Lancashire and Cumbria League) has stood in for Gajasinghe during Werneth’s two Championship defeats at Heyside on the opening day of the season and away to Milnrow on Sunday.

Werneth have yet to boast home advantage so far, but that will change on Saturday when Ian Dronsfield’s men entertain Heyside in a repeat of the opening-day showdown at little Hey Street.

Said Dronsfield: “We have only played two games so there’s no reason to be disheartened. It would be nice to get a win under our belts. It will also be good to get some stability with our professional.”



ROYTON have endured a peculiar start in the Premier Division. Though the season is three weeks old, the only side they have played is Rochdale on the opening day. Their second game, on Saturday, will be at home - to Rochdale!

After that opening-day success, Royton had an open date caused by the nine-club division. Last weekend their home match against Unsworth was washed out and the following day saw no play either.

The Crimble club relaid a large part of their square at the end of last season and there are clearly one or two teething problems.

Their first home fixture against Walsden suffered a delayed start because of dampness on the square, while Sunday’s match was always going to be in doubt after the torrential downpours of 24 hours

earlier.

twitter: @KeithMcHughOC