Lancashire League

A WORD of warning for Lancashire League batsmen should Corrie Jordaan return next season - the South African spin king is taking a Shane Warne masterclass.

The Lowerhouse professional is streets ahead of the pack at the top of the bowling averages with an incredible 66 wickets at an average of 7.65.

And while he has to go some to catch the club's 1921 professional record of 130 set by W Cook, Jordaan has bowled his side into a genuine championship force.

The Liverpool Road men would have gone top if they had successfully chased Haslingden's meagre total of 75 last weekend - Jordaan taking six.

But Lowerhouse have an immediate chance to set the record straight on Saturday in the return set of fixtures.

Haslingden will not, though, have to worry about the new secret weapon currently being developed by Jordaan.

He is studying video tapes of Shane Warne in action in the Ashes series in order to develop his own flipper to add to his now infamous 'wrong 'un'.

"It is more difficult for the left-hander to bowl and I would have to work on it when I return home - but I want to add it to my repertoire," said Corrie. While he believes the secret of Warne's recent success is an increase in the speed of his delivery, Corrie's own success has been built on good old line and length.

"The wickets back home are so flat that if you bowl it loose you get murdered.

"In England they turn a little bit more but last weekend's wicket was flat and didn't turn that much.

"Occasionally it was a little low but there were no excuses.

"Both sides batted badly and we put ourselves under pressure because we weren't positive in chasing their low total.

"The only thing we learned is that the game is not over until the fat lady sings.

"That result probably cost us big and the total against Bacup wasn't good enough for our batting.

"The guys have batted until it came out of their ears this week," he said.

Jordaan recognises the size of tomorrow's task, made more difficult with the absence of Nick Hope who is on holiday.

"I rate Haslingden as the best side in the league. "Even with a score of 77 you can see the blokes can play and their sub-professional Andy Pick bowled superbly while the amateurs bowled nicely.

"But the Haslingden track is supposed to be spongy and that is my type of wicket," added Jordaan.

Haslingden have the same sub-professionals as last weekend, Andy Pick tomorrow and Alan Badenhorst for the trip to Colne on Sunday.

Fellow contenders East Lancs host strugglers Rawtenstall at Alexandra Meadows. Church will field Gordon Parsons as sub on both days for Brendan Creevey who broke his nose last weekend.

Jordaan is planning a sportsman's dinner at Towneley Golf Club, Burnley, featuring a comedian, South African speakers and an auction of South African cricket gear to raise funds for cricket development at Ivy Bank High School. Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact him on (01282) 777305.

A game organised by East Lancs pro Billy Stelling featuring a host of international stars is planned at Alexandra Meadows on August 29.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.