ACCRINGTON professional Tama Canning was celebrating this week after being called up for New Zealand A team's tour of South Africa.

The 27-year-old, who hit 151 in last weekend's win over Colne, has been in inspired form with both bat and ball this season.

And his efforts in the Lancashire League haven't gone un-noticed by the selectors, who have also picked Lowerhouse's Peter Fulton for the tour.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity," said Canning, who leaves Hyndburn on August 30 and will miss the final two games of the season at Ramsbottom and Haslingden.

"I was looking at it three or four weeks ago and thought I might be in with a chance so I was delighted when I got called up.

"I haven't been involved since the tour of Pakistan last December because I got injured after that, so it's nice to be back in the fold.

"We've got a really strong side together this time, with James Franklin and Lou Vincent included, and if I have a good tour there then there is a chance that I could be included when they tour Australia," added Canning, who was born in Perth but qualifies for New Zealand through his parentage."

And looking ahead to next season, the right-arm medium pace bowler is looking forward to a return to the Lancashire League, whether teaming up with Accrington or not following interest from several other clubs.

But, for the moment, he is concentrating on reaching his target of 1,000 runs for the season, having already hit the 860 mark.

And he hopes to close in on his goal even more when Accrington entertain neighbours Church tomorrow.

"We'll be looking to end their title hopes," Canning said.

The battle of the professionals pits Canning with CHURCH paid-man Ruvin Peiris, who stands just 31 runs away from being the first Lancashire Leauge player to smash through the 1,000 run barrier this season.

The Sri Lankan all-rounder also has 45 wickets to his name, putting him within touching distance of a double milestone at Thorneyholme Road, where the West Enders need to reestablish their title credentials after falling from the top spot following back-to-back defeats.

Top team RAMSBOTTOM host second-placed HASLINGDEN in a big derby, the importance of which is summed up by Hassy's Cricket chairman Stuart Taylor.

"This is bigger than last week's Worsley Cup final," he said. "Whoever loses will be a few points behind so it's a massive game."

The teams, who are separated by two points, are unchanged, except Haslingden have not yet signed up a sub pro.

ENFIELD expect to be back to full strength for their trip to TODMORDEN after missing five players last Saturday.

It's all change again at COLNE with South African Christo Karemakar coming in as sub pro for the trip to Worsley Cup winners Lowerhouse.

The pace bowler, who has been playing in the Bradford League, comes recommended by fellow South African, Pierre Joubert, who has been standing in at The Horsfield following Andre Adams departure to Essex.

Chairman Trevor Lonsdale said: "I'm hoping Lowerhouse will still be on a high following their cup victory last weekend and we can nick a victory."

RAWTENSTALL aren't giving up their slim chances of winning the title just yet - but chairman Brian Payne knows they can ill afford any more slip-ups like last week's defeat against Todmorden.

Unchanged Rawtenstall have seven games remaining but have to play four of the top five teams, starting with tomorrow's home clash with fourth-placed Bacup.

Payne said: "It is a long shot but while we have a slim chance of the title we have to go for it. We play four of the top five teams so in that respect it is still in our own hands."

BURNLEY make just one change as they look to claim a victory at Nelson that could finally take them off bottom spot at the expense of Enfield, Andy McLeod replacing Andy McGuire.

Musbury Fabrics Lancashire Cricket League fixtures for Sunday: Accrington v Church; Lowerhouse v Colne; Nelson v Burnley; Ramsbottom v Haslingden; Rawtenstall v Bacup; Rishton v East Lancs; Todmorden v Enfield