ACCRINGTON are thought to be interested in Peter Sleep, who was in impressive Marsden BS Lancashire League action again on Sunday with Ramsbottom.

The vastly-experienced Sleep could well be seen as an ideal professional at a club where they have undergone a lot of changes and have a very young squad.

Though Accrington Cricket chairman Peter Barratt played down suggestions that they had already made a move for him.

Sleep's availability could depend largely on what happens at Old Trafford where the former Aussie Test all-rounder is in the second year of a two-year contract as captain/coach of the county seconds.

Lancashire commitments have meant he has only been able to turn out as a sub-pro in the leagues this summer.

Accrington have shown interest in Sleep in the past and there is no doubt about his quality, as he has again demonstrated on several occasions this season.

But Mr Barratt said: "We haven't even had a meeting for about three weeks and we haven't made a decision what to do about Chad Grainger (Accrington's present professional) yet.

"We know Peter, of course, and he has been doing some coaching for us. But he is under contract to Lancashire."

Sleep stood in for Ramsbottom professional Chris Harris on Sunday. Kiwi Harris was called up by New Zealand for an eight-a-side tournament in Kuala Lumpur and Ramsbottom had to release him.

"It was recognised by the ICC and we told the New Zealand Cricket Board we would require written confirmation from them," said Ramsbottom spokesman Peter Spencer.

"When it arrived we passed a copy to the league. There's nothing we could do about it."

Harris is expected back in plenty of time for the weekend games.

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