BARNOLDSWICK'S new captain Mike Scothern is expecting fireworks from professional Raja Arshad - and tomorrow's Jennings Ribblesdale League derby against Earby would the ideal place to start.

Arshad warmed up following his delayed arrival at Victory Park with a rapid 24 against Great Harwood last Saturday, when all his runs came in boundaries.

And Scothern believes some big scores will be on the cards.

"I think he's going to take some attacks apart and he hits the ball a long way. He doesn't block many and I think he will demoralise some sides.

"He's played for Pakistan in the Hong Kong Sixes with the likes of Wasim Akram and Rashid Latif so you've got to be able to play a bit to be in that sort of company," said Scothern, who is concentrating all his energies on the captain's job after retiring from the Minor Counties scene at the end of last summer.

Barnoldswick had to use substitute professionals up to last weekend, so Scothern is relieved to have their full-time paid-man in place.

"It takes a lot of aggravation out of it knowing that he will be there week-in, week-out and it will help them whole team to have him there on a regular basis," he added.

Every cloud has a silver lining, however, and in Arshad's absence Barnoldswick were able to field Kenyan Steve Tikolo, who helped them beat Clitheroe en route to the World Cup where he took a half-century off the England attack this week.

"He showed a lot of class when he played for us. He bowled magnificently and then made 30-odd not out and looked a very impressive player. He's one to log away in the memory banks," said Scothern.

Barnoldswick, who were at home to Settle today, have also beaten Oswaldtwistle but lost to Read and then last Saturday suffered a batting collapse to lose to second-placed Great Harwood by seven runs.

"We have been a bit inconsistent with our batting but I'm reasonably satisfied. It's just disappointing that we didn't beat Cherry Tree (in the cup) and Great Harwood," Scothern added.

"We really need two wins now to stay in contention with the leaders. We have still to play Ribblesdale Wanderers and Padiham and we beat them both last season so we know what we are capable of.

"We feel by not getting the wins we should have done we have set ourselves a big target.

"But we certainly feel capable of being up there challenging at the end of the season."

Elsewhere tomorrow, unbeaten Padiham host fifth-placed Read which will pitch Lancashire's Mark Harvey against Old Trafford second team coach Peter Sleep.

And leaders Ribblesdale Wanderers entertain Clitheroe in a local derby at Church Meadow.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Barnoldswick v Earby, Blackburn N v Cherry Tree, Edenfield v Baxenden, Oswaldtwistle I v Great Harwood, Padiham v Read, Ribblesdale W v Clitheroe, Whalley v Settle.

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