VAUX Ribblesdale League champions Padiham are in the hunt for a new professional.

The 1995 title holders have decided to release West Indian quickie Joe Grant.

And there is speculation that captain Pankaj Tripathi - who suffered a Ribblesdale League ban earlier this season - could step down.

Padiham League Representative Keith Clayton explained: "Personally, I'm very sad to see Joe Grant leave Padiham.

The decision to release Joe has nothing at all to do with his cricketing ability. It was purely a financial consideration.

"We've weighed up the financial facts and figures and decided it would not be possible to keep Joe. "I know Joe would have liked to have stayed. But unless we receive a major sponsorship from somewhere we simply can't afford it."

The Padiham committee will meet tonight to discuss the 'three or four names' mooted as Grant's replacement.

Grant will play his final game for Padiham at Cherry Tree a week on Saturday before flying back to begin winter training with Jamaica.

BAXENDEN CC have signed David Usher on a one-year contract. David previously played for Bacup CC and has been professional at Woodbank CC in the Lancs County League for the past seven seasons.

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