THE opening fixtures in the Lancashire Cricket League season on Sunday week will once again be hit by a dose of absenteeism in the professional ranks.

Meryck Pringle, new professional at reigning champions Rishton, will miss at least the opening league game, along with their Charity Shield-style pipe-opener the previous day against Worsley Cup winners Ramsbottom.

And Nelson's Alan Dawson, Western Province team-mate of Pringle, could find himself in the same position because of a domestic cup competition in South Africa which will not be concluded until the following weekend.

Dawson is on standby to replace Brian McMillan who faces a fitness test later this week.

Burnley are also lining up a substitute, as their new professional Dale Benkenstein cannot guarantee arriving in time for the opening game for similar reasons.

Natal skipper Benkenstein plays in the semi-finals of the South African competition on Thursday week.

"He told us that, if they were to lose, he would try to get a flight to arrive in time for the following Sunday's first match," said Burnley cricket manager Peter Brown.

"But we have decided it is too much of a risk, so we are planning to sign a substitute for the opening game." Todmorden's Frans Cronje, however, is not involved and is expected to be here on schedule.

The cup competition semi-finals are due to be played on Thursday and Friday next week, with the final at the end of the following week.

If either Western Province or Natal were to progress then that would cause further disruption on the second weekend of the league programme.

There will be a new-look start to the Lancashire League season this year with Rishton and Ramsbottom meeting at Blackburn Road on Saturday, April 19, in a special challenge between champions and cup holders.

They will play for the Colne Cup - a new trophy donated to the league by the town of Colne.

Burnley CC are urgently seeking a new first team scorer. Anyone interested should contact Peter Brown (01282) 439456.

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