PLAYERS at Bacup Cricket Club are falling faster than England wickets, says captain David Thompson.

Painter and decorator David is recovering at home after severing an artery in his arm in a works accident which will put him out of action for the rest of the season.

But he is not alone on the injury list at the Lanehead ground - with more crocks in the first team than the tea room.

Said David: "The players have been going down with injuries. One has a torn ligaments, another a broken kneecap, and another with with two broken fingers - in fact five first-team players are out of action."

He added: "We are carrying a lot of injuries, but at least it gives the youngsters a chance to play in the first team."

Father-of-two David, 32, reckons that despite the injuries the team will hang on to its sixth place in the Lancashire League after the two remaining games.

David himself has ben told he is not only out of the team, but also off work for at least a month, after accidentally putting his arm through a window at Sharneyford county primary school earlier this week.

Teachers Jackie Hesketh and Judith Armstrong, both qualified first aiders, stepped in to stop the bleeding and make David comfortable until the ambulance arrived.

David, of Stacksteads, was taken to Rochdale Infirmary where he underwent surgery and was discharged after an overnight stay in the hospital.

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