HASLINGDEN favourite Brad McNamara could be out of Lancashire League action until next month.

The powerful all-rounder has returned home to Australia for a family wedding and he is also expected to miss next Saturday's league progamme and the Worsley Cup first round tie at home to Colne with a troublesome groin injury.

Great Harwood professional Chris Killen will be Haslingden's sub professional against Nelson at Bentgate.

"Brad will probably missing for around two weeks with the injury," said Haslingden captain Mark Griffin.

"That is a blow for us because he plays a crucial role for Haslingden. But the last thing we are going to do is rush him back from injury.

"We don't want to run the risk of losing him for the rest of the season.

"Brad is having physiotherapy while he is in Australia and he will return to England next Thursday.

"He said he will be ready to play next weekend but I think that could be too soon for him. Our hope is that he might be ready for the Bank Holiday double header. We must make sure he is right."

Lancashire's Steve Titchard was due to deputise for McNamara at Accrington today.

McNamara finished third in the Lancashire League batting averages last season with 1,081 runs at an average of 63.

Burnley, meanwhile, will have South African professional Dale Benkenstein in their line-up at Rishton.

Benkenstein has enjoyed a fanastic domestic season in South Africa, captaining Natal to a league and cup double in his first season at the helm, and scoring the winning runs in a truimphant cup win.

Burnley lost their first three games and his arrival will, no doubt, be a major lift to the Turf Moor side.

Skipper Peter Brown said: "He is a cricketer with a lot of ability and experience and his arrival will be a big boost.

"He has had a great season in South Africa, winning a fantastic double."

Meanwhile, East Lancs' excellent early season form should prove too powerful for struggling Church as Billy Stelling's side go to Blackburn Road.

Improving Accrington face a trip to Bacup, where James Peterson is in magnificent batting form.

"Accrington are going to be an improved side this season with the arrival of Nathan Astle. He will be a danger to us tomorrow," said Peterson.

Lowerhouse entertain Todmorden at Liverpool Road while Colne take on Ramsbottom at the Horsfield.

Sunday: Bacup v Accrington, Church v East Lancs, Colne v Ramsbottom, Enfield v Rawtenstall, Haslingden v Nelson, Lowerhouse v Accrington, Rishton v Burnley.

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