PACE bowler Shaun Rashid has his sights firmly set on a double goal - to bowl Padiham to the Ribblesdale League Championship and get his place back in Nottingham's second team.

Last year the promising 21-year-old snapped up 56 wickets in the Ribblesdale League which earned him a chance in the second team at Trent Bridge when he played five games.

But the return to fitness of more established players, combined with his own commitments to a BTec course in Sports Science, have restricted his chances at Notts this season.

Now his exams are finished his focus is back on cricket and he is hoping he can bowl current leaders Padiham to the championship, winning back his county second team place in the process.

And that could mean a possible link up with Aussie legend Dennis Lillee.

"I'm not quite sure of the situation at Notts at the moment but there has been rumours Dennis could be doing a bit of coaching there," said Rashid.

"If I ever got the chance to work with him then that would be a dream because he is one of my heroes.

"But all I have got in mind at the moment is to get my place back at Notts.

"I do have a lot of critics but I still believe I am good enough to make it."

The best way to prove that would be to provide the bowling firepower to maintain Padiham's challenge at the top. "If I can continue to do alright at Padiham then hopefully I will get back in soon.

"We have managed to get a few good results together this season.

"But our main focus must now be to beat Cherry Tree because they are also going well."

So far this season he has picked up 14 wickets at 21 apiece in Padiham's march to the top.

But he still believes there is more to come.

"At the moment my form is a bit up and down.

"But it has been a lot wetter this season and the conditions have favoured slower bowlers.

"I am aiming to get over 50 wickets again this year and I still think it is possible.

"But I'd settle for 40."

And so would his team-mates if it won them the league.

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