Carlisle have had to bring in a substitute professional for Saturday’s Cumbria League game at Workington.
Hired professional and club skipper Mike Slack suffered an injury – a tendon at the top of his leg – playing for Cumbria in their NCCA game earlier in the week.
It’s not known how long the free-scoring/wicket-taking all-rounder will be missing but he is an absentee for the county when they travel to Hertfordshire for their final Championship fixture this weekend.
Carlisle are just about still in the title race but have no room for errors starting at the Valentine Ground where Workington have been inconsistent, ranging from outstanding to mediocre.
Replacing Slack will be the 25-year-old Sri Lankan all-rounder Lasith Lakshanwho has been playing for Accrington in the competitive Lancashire League.
Six years ago he had a season in England with the Southgate club in north London as part of a Sri Lankan academy programme.
He had a successful season in the Cumbria League in 2019 with Dalton where he was the joint leading wicket-taker with his off-breaks claiming 50 wickets, and he scored over 600 runs.
Workington have shown their best form in the knock-out competitions this season, having already won the Higson Cup and through to the finals day of the Robin Dunn Memorial Trophy for T20.
Last week they were well beaten by Furness while Carlisle won a high-scoring game against Cleator.
League leaders Furness make a short trip tomorrow to Lindal Moor who are locked in a desperate battle with Whitehaven to avoid the drop.
Cockermouth, who have emerged as the biggest threat to a Furness title triumph have a home game against Haverigg.
Keswick have suffered through a lack of key personnel and two defeats and a rain-off have virtually killed off their title challenge, after just one week when they memorably topped the table.
In a crushing blow last week they were hammered by ten wickets at home to Cockermouth and will try to put that behind them when they travel to Wigton.
Whitehaven have a West Cumbrian derby on their hands as they try to fight their way from the bottom of the table in time to avoid the drop.
They travel to Cleator who put in a better performance last week, although still losing at Carlisle.
Darren Clark and his 59-year-old dad Ian figured in a big sixth wicket stand which almost turned the tables Cleator’s way.
In the other game tomorrow Millom have home advantage against Dalton.
As always, though, because of being such a widespread League, regionalised weather conditions at opposite end of the county could effect results.
Tomorrow’s weather is not encouraging.
