Lancashire: Chapple's battle (29 July 1997)

29 July 1997

Chapple's battle

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

GLEN CHAPPLE faces an uphill battle to be fit for Lancashire's next Championship game against Warwickshire starting at Blackpool a week tomorrow.

Chapple has missed the last three matches and bowled only 25 balls in four weeks because of stomach muscle problems, breaking down in the NatWest Trophy tie at Sussex after first suffering an injury during the Championship game at Worcester.

But he stresses that both injuries have been completely separate - and unfortunately the latest one is taking a while to mend.

"It's just under the ribs - much higher than the last one, which was nearer the groin," he explained.

"I was hoping to play at Blackpool but so far I have only been able to do running because I can still feel the problem.

"I'd still like to play there but it will be a late fitness test job and I might have to play a second team game first to prove that I'm okay.

"It's the sort of injury that you've got to be sure is right before you come back, otherwise you could be out for another month. In that case it would ruin my season, but if I want an extra week and make sure it is right I might still have four or five matches to turn it around."

Chapple was even considering playing as a batsman for the second team in their four-day championship game against Durham starting at Ramsbottom today, but Lancashire decided it would have been a risk.