ANDY Bartley is hoping to find form with the bat to get Rishton on a roll in the Lancashire League after taking the big decision to step down as skipper.

The 33-year-old believes that Rishton’s young side can only get better - but felt it was the right time to quit as captain of the Blackburn Road outfit, who have won just four games this season.

“There is a lot going on when you are captain,” he said. “It isn’t just the match day, there is a lot involved and it takes up a lot of time. My wife is pregnant and I thought the time was right for me to step aside.

“I have done the job for three years and results have not been great this season. It’s better to make the decision now when there is two thirds of the season to try and turn things around.”

Bartley has been replaced at the helm by veteran John Seedle but intends to stay as an integral part of the Rishton side.

“Hopefully I can get a few runs now,” he added. “My form has not been the best this year and I want to put that right.”

Rishton are in transition with a number of younger players to add to the experience. And Bartley believes they can grow and mature into a good team. “They need to play cricket and learn from the experiences they get,” he said. “We’ve had some bad days but we need to take any positives we can.”

They have an impressive professional in the shape of Aaron Heal and Bartley is very impressed with the popular Aussie, who faces a race to be fit after damaging his knee during Saturday’s defeat to Church.

“Aaron is a really good all-rounder,” said Bartley. “He is a top cricketer and it was a blow when he was hurt.

“He just turned and felt something in his knee. But he is seeing the physio this week and hopefully he will be fit.”

The return of Heal would be a boost as Rishton face East Lancs in a winner-takes-all 20/20 clash at Blackburn Road.

“Anything can happen in the 20/20,” added Bartley. “We were well beaten by Church last Friday - but on the night, games can go either way.

“It’s a great spectacle and Friday will be a big game. Both sides are capable of good things and it will be a cracker.

“It is a winner-takes-all match and both sides will want to progress.”