CRICKET: Harvey festival

Former Arbories paid man Mark Harvey has signed for Great Harwood -- Padiham's opponents tomorrow.

"It is ironic," said the skipper. "He had a lot of good times with us and I will be speaking to him and we will no doubt rib each other.

"Mark will always be welcomed back to Padiham. He spent three seasons with us and he is a cricketer who will give 100 per cent.

"When he joined us I think we were struggling and I think a lot of our success is down to him. He had ability on the field and did a lot off it.

"Unfortunately for us now, he doesn't have a weakness. I just hope we get him out as soon as possible!"

Great Harwood have called Harvey in as a late replacement for Indian Ashu Dani who hasn't been able to join them.

Harvey originally thought county commitments would restrict him this season and this prevented a return to Padiham but it has turned out not to be the case.

Meanwhile, Padiham's new paid man Ajay Sharma has certainly got the Arbories club in the headlines.

The Pakistan international has denied links with the latest match fixing allegations surrounding South African captain Hanse Cronje.

"He is taking it on the chin," said the captain. "He wants to do his talking on the pitch which he did in his first game. He took six wickets and made 86 against Ribblesdale Wanderers, who will be up there challenging for the title.

"It was a novelty at first, all the publicity, all kinds of folk were turning up but he has said all he wants to say about that.

"He is an unassuming, friendly guy and we hope he does do his talking on the pitch."

Padiham are hoping to rewrite the Ribblesdale League history books and win a third successive title which has never been done in the league in its present format.

"It would be a major achievement for the club," said McNicholas. "But I expect Cherry Tree, Ribblesdale and possibly Clitheroe to be up there,

"Great Harwood may be okay but I think they've lost a couple of players."

Other fixtures: Barnoldswick v Baxenden, Blackburn Northern v Clitheroe, Earby v Edenfield, Oswaldtwistle Emmanuel v Whalley, Ribblesdale Wanderers v Cherry Tree, Settle v Read PADIHAM captain Andy McNicholas will be speaking to the professional who guided his side to two Jennings Ribblesdale League titles -- but will not be wishing him luck.

Former Arbories paid man Mark Harvey has signed for Great Harwood -- Padiham's opponents tomorrow.

"It is ironic," said the skipper. "He had a lot of good times with us and I will be speaking to him and we will no doubt rib each other.

"Mark will always be welcomed back to Padiham. He spent three seasons with us and he is a cricketer who will give 100 per cent.

"When he joined us I think we were struggling and I think a lot of our success is down to him. He had ability on the field and did a lot off it.

"Unfortunately for us now, he doesn't have a weakness. I just hope we get him out as soon as possible!"

Great Harwood have called Harvey in as a late replacement for Indian Ashu Dani who hasn't been able to join them.

Harvey originally thought county commitments would restrict him this season and this prevented a return to Padiham but it has turned out not to be the case.

Meanwhile, Padiham's new paid man Ajay Sharma has certainly got the Arbories club in the headlines.

The Pakistan international has denied links with the latest match fixing allegations surrounding South African captain Hanse Cronje.

"He is taking it on the chin," said the captain. "He wants to do his talking on the pitch which he did in his first game. He took six wickets and made 86 against Ribblesdale Wanderers, who will be up there challenging for the title.

"It was a novelty at first, all the publicity, all kinds of folk were turning up but he has said all he wants to say about that.

"He is an unassuming, friendly guy and we hope he does do his talking on the pitch."

Padiham are hoping to rewrite the Ribblesdale League history books and win a third successive title which has never been done in the league in its present format.

"It would be a major achievement for the club," said McNicholas. "But I expect Cherry Tree, Ribblesdale and possibly Clitheroe to be up there,

"Great Harwood may be okay but I think they've lost a couple of players."

Other fixtures: Barnoldswick v Baxenden, Blackburn Northern v Clitheroe, Earby v Edenfield, Oswaldtwistle Emmanuel v Whalley, Ribblesdale Wanderers v Cherry Tree, Settle v Read