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Ribblesdale Wanderers will make a decision on the future of professional Shahid Nawaz over the weekend.

Nawaz, who smashed the Ribblesdale League's batting record last summer, has failed to get in touch with the Church Meadow outfit to confirm his availability and they have had to call on Dexter Fitton as substitute professional for tomorrow's opening league fixture with Whalley.

``He still hasn't contacted us and we've been advised by the league to employ a substitute professional this weekend,'' said first team skipper Terry Braithwaite.

``I'm sure the club will make some sort of decision on it over the weekend but it's difficult to know what to do.

``We had high hopes this season after he beat the batting record on some soft wickets last season.

``Just imagine what he'd be like on decent wickets.

``But there may be a good reason why he hasn't been in touch - we just don't know.''

The uncertainty over the pro situation is bound to affect Wanderers chances of improving on their runners up spot last season.

Meanwhile, champions Padiham are sticking with last season's winning formula as they prepare to defend their crown.

Mark Harvey has remained as professional while Nasser Mehmood and Peter Shirtcliffe are the only additions to the squad, having joined from Read. Cherry Tree's chances of a second title in three seasons have been dented by the loss of wicketkeeper Andy Holroyd to Baxenden although Nigel Robbins has joined from Darwen.

Former Chorley professional Ronnie Davis is the man charged with reviving Baxenden's fortunes.

Last year's paid man David Usher is also staying on at Back Lane while his brother Peter has joined from Read.

Pakistani Raja Akhtar replaces Paul Beech as professional at Barnoldswick, although Australian batsman Bruce Hara will deputise tomorrow.

Clitheroe have signed up 20-year-old Australian Stephen Benjamin as replacement for Jonathan Fielding.

But Fielding will make a brief return to the league tomorrow as substitute professional for Great Harwood in place of Indian Shantanu Sugwekar.

Edenfield have also had to employ Paul Ridgway as a replacement for Mike Smethurst who is on county championship duty with Lancashire.

Read could be the surprise package of the season after enlisting the services of Peter Sleep as paid man and former Baxenden wicketkeeper Paul Swarbrick has also moved to Whalley Road.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel have turned to former Rishton captain Russell Whalley in a bid to improve their fortunes.

And ex-East Lancs captain Mark Lomas is hoping to make a similar impact at Blackburn Northern. Graham Knowles is the new professional at Whalley while last season's paid man Jason Smith has also stayed on at Station Road and Lee Kearsley ahs joined from Preston.

Opening batsman David Morrell has quit Settle but they'll be hoping Surendra Bhave can repeat the blistering form he showed last season.

And it's been a quiet winter at Applegarth where Earby have made no changes to the squad which finished sixth last term.

Fixtures:

Barnoldswick v Read, Cherry Tree v Oswaldtwistle Im, Clitheroe v Blackburn Northern, Edenfield v Earby, Great Harwood v Baxenden, Padiham v Settle, Whalley v Ribblesdale Wanderers.