AUSTRALIAN cricketers are to be told not to join Lancashire League clubs unless contract rules are changed.

Haslingden professional Brad McNamara's contacted Australian players' representative and Test star Steve Waugh after his season was ended by a shoulder injury.

An angry McNamara, who flies home tomorrow, believes that the standard league contract penalises injured professionals.

He said: "I signed the contract, so at the end of the day it is my fault.

"But professionals are basically left on their own - you have no recourse.

"You have to pay for sub-professionals as well as all the medical expenses such as X-rays and injections."

The popular New South Wales all-rounder claims professionals are also placed under pressure to return from injury as quickly as possible. And he believes the current contract tempts a player to play when not fully fit in order to avoid the expense of finding a substitute.

Indeed McNamara says he could have played on as a batting professional rather than aggravating his shoulder injury to the point of tearing a tendon last weekend.

He added: "I am very disappointed with way I have been treated over here.

"I was trying to do the right thing by the club and I did not miss a game in my first two seasons with Haslingden.

"I came over here with a groin injury so whatever happened there was my fault and I didn't mind copping a bit of the expense.

"But when you are injured playing for your club, the club should either pay it all or meet you half way and pay for your medical expenses.

"It has got to be a two-way street.

"I would love to return to the league but there is no way I would sign that contract again."

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