NEW Zealand Test star Chris Cairns is being targeted by Nelson as a possible replacement for professional Roger Harper.

But the Lancashire League champions' attempts to lure him to Seedhill seem set to end in failure and they may now switch their attentions to Australia's Colin Miller.

A source close to the club has revealed the Kiwi is believed to be on their wanted list.

Haslingden have also been linked with the New Zealander although chairman Ernie Taylor has scoffed at those suggestions, claiming the player is demanding too much money.

And Cairns is not believed to be keen on the prospect of playing in the Lancashire League next season.

So with just seven weeks to go before the start of the new season, the defending champions now face a scramble to find an alternative, following Roger Harper's appointment as the new West Indies coach.

"We don't want to panic but we do need to get something sorted as quickly as possible because the season starts in about seven weeks," said skipper Duncan Spencer.

"We had a bit of a meeting on Monday night and ended up drawing up a list as long as your arm but there's nothing definite as yet. "We had a few irons in the fire but nothing has come of them.

"We've spoken to people in South Africa and Australia and Roger is doing his bit to help us as well.

"So, hopefully, we'll have something sorted out soon."

The club have already discussed Aussie ace Miller as a possible alternative.

But, as yet, nothing concrete has been decided.

"Colin is one we have talked about but there's nothing definite as yet at all," added Spencer.

Meanwhile, Haslingden are hoping to tie up a deal with a new professional later this week.

The Bent Gate club have spoken to the player but are now waiting to hear if he is selected for a Test side in the summer before finalising a move.

"We are talking to someone at the moment but we are just waiting to see if he's picked for a Test series this summer," said chairman Ernie Taylor.

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