A COMPLAINT has been lodged with Lancashire League officials over the eligibility of batting and bowling sensation Tariq Habib.

The Burnley second team player smashed 192 not out against Bacup seconds last weekend and also claimed one wicket for 10 runs off 11 overs in the Turf Moor side's emphatic win.

His remarkable performance has prompted the Bacup committee to write to the Lancashire League questioning whether he qualifies to play for the Burnley second team.

"Not only do we wish to question whether he satisfies the Lancashire League's strict guidelines for eligibility," said Bacup committee member and second team captain Neil Wilkinson.

"But we would also question whether a player of his ability should be playing for their seconds.

"His innings was spectacular.

"He is undoubtedly a very fine player.

"But he seemed wrongly-placed in second team cricket.

"He stood out like a sore thumb.

"We feel that it is not in the best interests of Lancashire League cricket for a player to emerge from nowhere and produce a display like that."

But Burnley chairman Peter Lawson dismissed the Bacup accusations as a clear case of sour grapes.

"I think they would be quite happy if a member of their team were to produce something similar," he said.

"I don't imagine there would be much complaining then.

"It's obviously very difficult for Bacup to accept that the cricketer in question produced a very fine innings, indeed a match-winning innings.

"As far as his eligibility is concerned I have no reason to doubt that he can play for Burnley.

"We wouldn't have picked him otherwise.

"His parents have lived in Burnley for several years and, although he has worked outside Burnley, he has cited his parents' address as his main residence.

"We will also consider him for first team selection but will have to wait for the necessary registration papers to be passed."

Assistant secretary of the Lancashire League Lionel Cooke confirmed today that Habib's registration form is currently held by the secretary Rod Slater.

"From what I can gather there is nothing untoward about his appearance for Burnley seconds last weekend," said Mr Cooke.

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