RETURNING cricket star Jonathan Finch is wants the Lancashire League’s top spot - and is determined to help Lowerhouse up the table on his return to Liverpool Road.

The destructive 26-year-old all-rounder left Lowerhouse on the eve of the season to play with Rainhill in the Liverpool Combination because of work commitments ruling him out of a lot of Sunday cricket.

But now he has decided to return to Liverpool Road - and can’t wait for his second debut to come around.

“I am not sure if the league will allow me to play this weekend,” he said. “But I am looking forward to being back at Lowerhouse.

“Lowerhouse is where my heart is and that is where I have had my best days as a player and I hope to have more good days there now.

“But I know there are some good young players in the side as the club rebuilds and I certainly won’t be expecting to walk back into the team and open the batting and bowling.”

Finch will still miss a few Sunday games because of his job as cricket development manager for the Midlands and he added: “I would still much rather be at Lowerhouse.

“I spend all week up and down the M6 with my job and, to be honest, I didn’t feel like driving to Rainhill for games and nets.

“It takes it out of you a bit - and it takes away the enjoyment.

“There is nothing wrong with Rainhill. It’s a good club with a good set of lads but it comes down to me wanting to be nearer home.

"I was enjoying the cricket but not the travellng that went with it.”

Finch’s return to Lowerhouse is a major boost as they aim to push for silverware.

They are out of the Worsley Cup but are fourth in the league, just 11 points behind leaders Accrington with 17 games still to play.

And the Burnley-born Finch reckons everything is to play for.

“I have been keeping an eye on the league as an outsider this season - and it really is fascinating,” he said.

“This year more than any other it seems as though any team can beat anyone else.

“It is very tight and there is a lot of cricket to be played and hopefully we can get up there.”