Ian Harvey has agreed to join Gloucestershire this summer, leaving Ramsbottom to search for a replacement professional.

Mike Everett, cricket chairman at the Lancashire League club, was told the news in a telephone call from the Australian, who had a gentleman's agreement to return to Ramsbottom for a second season but had not signed a contract.

"It's disappointing but we would not have stood in the way of him signing for a county anyway," said Mr Everett.

"I think that, given the right kind of summer, Ian would really have shown his true pedigree as a player.

"He has had a lot of niggling injuries this winter, otherwise he could well have figured in the World Cup thinking.

"Now we have to start again looking for a professional but we have a few names in mind."

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