RYAN Harris admits he is "pretty shattered" that he has had to cut his season short and return to Australia.

The Lowerhouse powerhouse has been one of the stars of the Lancashire League so far this year, but a groin injury has forced him to leave Liverpool Road.

As he prepared to leave for Heathrow Airport and catch a flight back home, Harris told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "I'm pretty shattered and very disappointed about it but at the moment it's the best thing for my career.

"I need to go home and rest for a couple of months, but it's not career-threatening and I'm hoping an operation won't be needed.

"I went for a run against Accrington a couple of weeks ago and something went in my leg then, and after that it's been a bit more painful. That was the day when I thought I'd need to take a rest from playing."

And how well Harris was playing, too. After an initial slow start, he burst into life with an unbeaten 111 against Todmorden and was one of the league's top batsmen, as well as chipping in with 18 useful wickets.

He said: "It was going really well for me here, I was happy with my form and enjoying it. I've been hitting the ball really well.

"The side started working its way up the league so I hope my leaving doesn't affect the set-up too badly.

"Everything here was going great, the club was fantastic and I couldn't have asked for a better one, they looked after me and my girlfriend really well.

"Unfortunately, I didn't get to see a lot of the area because my stay has been cut short."

Although the recuperation Harris is about to undertake may harm Lowerhouse in the short term, it could have long term benefits, as the 24-year-old is already planning to return as pro next year.

He added: "I'm definitely planning to come back next year. I'll see how it goes with South Australia and if I can avoid injury by the end of the season."

Harris's departure means two sub pros will be squaring up when Lowerhouse go to Haslingden in the Lancashire League tomorrow.

South African Jonathan Beucas has been drafted in to replace Harris.

He is pro at Oldham and is a left hand opening batsman and right arm medium pace bowler.

Haslingden have scooped up Kasheef Saddique, an original member of the 20-strong Pakistani one-day squad that travelled over to England for their summer tour.

Following this weekend, West Indian Otis Gibson will be available for all of Hassy's future Saturday games, while Ian Austin and Asif Mujtaba will play on Sundays.

The Bentgate club also saw their pro return to Australia with injury this year when Jerry Cassell had to bring his season to a premature conclusion.

However, if Haslingden have to call on any more reserves this season they could do a lot worse than raid the second team for replacements.

In particular, Ian Cameron is the man to watch following his astounding display in their match against Rishton on Sunday.

Cameron took 10-22, including seven clean bowled, as he became the first player to take all 10 wickets in a Lancashire League innings for a decade.

There are no such problems on the professional front for Colne, for whom Ben Higgins has the chance to become the first player to reach 1,000 runs in all competitions this season.

He needs 72 runs as his side goes to Church tomorrow.