HASLINGDEN have abandoned their search for a permanent replacement for Brad McNamara.

The Aussie all-rounder returned home last month after suffering a shoulder injury.

But Haslingden have not lost a game since his return and have resigned themselves to using sub-professionals for the rest of the season.

The club tried to secure the services of a number of top international names including Australians Damien Fleming, Anthony Stuart and Adam Dale, as well as South Africans Rudi Bryson and Steve Elworthy.

Skipper Mark Griffin has mapped out the availability of a select number of players for the campaign ahead.

Heywood's South African Alan Badenhorst, who has featured for the MCC in their victory over Pakistan A this week taking 3-48 in the second innings, will be back in action as the Bentgate men travel to Colne tomorrow.

He will be targeted for Sunday games until the Central Lancashire League revert to double headers later in the season.

At that stage Northern League professionals are a strong possibility, with Queensland opener Jimmy Maher of Fleetwood having already turned out for Griffin's men.

Haslingden are hopeful that Nottinghamshire's Andy Pick will be available for most Saturday games.

Griffin said: "It made a big difference having two guys last weekend who were charging in. "We played against Badenhorst in the inter-league cup and he took 106 wickets for Heywood last year.

"He got a bit of life out of one of our slow wickets last weekend.

"And he plays his shots when he comes in to bat.

"I would much rather have Brad here and it was a big blow when he went back.

"The hardest part of having subs is not having a pro at training.

"But we haven't lost since Brad went home. Our amateurs have been excellent and our seconds are top of the league.

"I have been trying to tell everyone that winning becomes a habit."

In the way of an extension of that winning streak is last season's sensation at Colne, Ben Johnson.

He scored his first century of this season last week against Haslingden and Badenhorst and is always a major threat.

Title rivals East Lancs face the might of Shane Lee at Enfield while Lowerhouse host Bacup.

And Peter Sleep will be looking to impress when his Accrington side travel to his old club Rishton.

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