PAUL Wiseman believes his Rishton team-mates need more self-belief if they want the club to become a leading light in the EW Cartons Lancashire League.

The New Zealand spinner has no doubts his Rishton colleagues possess the talent required to turn themselves into a major force.

But he's having trouble trying to convince them to think along the same lines as they prepare for a tough examination at title-chasing Haslingden tomorrow.

"I think we are underachieving this year and that seems to have been the case at the club for the last couple of seasons," said Wiseman.

"I don't know if the guys actually believe they can really make big contributions and win this league.

"There are quite a few young, talented cricketers here but it may take a year or two for them to realise they're good enough to compete at this level.

"I certainly think they're good enough now but they've got to believe it for themselves."

Rishton had a torrid time of it last weekend, crashing to heavy defeats at the hands of Accrington and Lowerhouse.

But Wiseman is confident they can bounce back against Haslingden providing they can stop run-machine Brad McNamara in his tracks. Hassy's Aussie pro has been left unbeaten on 99 twice in the last two weeks and he will be eager to go one better tomorrow. "I've played against Brad a couple of times before and he's a tough competitor, as most Aussies are," said Wiseman.

"But it's our job to see that he doesn't get anywhere near that kind of a score this time."

Wiseman himself took time to find his feet in the Lancashire League this season.

But he's started to put together some encouraging performances with both the bat and the ball in the last month or so.

So far, he's taken 28 wickets and scored over 500 runs at an average of 33.

But he still believes he has more to offer and, whatever happens between now and the end of the season, it's certainly been an education.

"When I came over here originally it was with the intention of going back to New Zealand as a better cricketer and I think I will.

"I'm enjoying it a lot and as far as my cricket goes I think it's helped me out.

"I made a pretty slow start because I struggled with my bowling at the beginning of the season.

"I couldn't get my rhythm.

"But my batting has been okay although I've not gone on and got big scores.

"That's what I'm looking to do between now and the end of the season."

Tomorrow's fixtures: Accrington v Rawtenstall, Bacup v Todmorden, Burnley v Colne, Church v Enfield, East Lancs v Ramsbottom, Haslingden v Rishton, Nelson v Lowerhouse.

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