Lancashire League pro hunt gets tough (14 Sep 1996)

Pro hunt gets tough

LANCASHIRE League clubs could find it tougher than ever to sign top-line professionals next season, with the possibility of more cricket in Australia and the West Indies clashing with our season.

And league chairman Peter Westwell warned: "It`s getting crazy." Expansion of the Red Stripe competition in the Caribbean is said to be on the cards, extending the season in the West Indies through until mid-June. In Australia, there have been suggestions that a new competition - for television - could be established, starting in July.

At the moment, clubs put up with some professionals arriving late, and others leaving early, because of international commitments.

But any players involved in either an expanded Red Stripe or a new tournament Down Under would clearly be ruled out of signing for a league club. "If it happens, it is going to make it even harder for our clubs to get top-class professionals," said Mr Westwell.

"And it is something which concerns us very much. I looked at the list of tours recently and the amount of cricket is unbelievable. It`s getting crazy." Enfield chairman Geoff Dixon, whose club are looking for a new professional following the release of Franklyn Rose, is well aware of the problems.

He said: "We haven`t done anything yet, because it`s all about availability. "A lot more players could be unavailable next year. We are still waiting to find out."

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)