Carlisle have signed experienced South African Ockert Erasmus as their sub professional for its Cumbria League game at Cleator.
Erasmus, 34, has been an established pro in the Lancashire League since 2011 when he played for the East Lancashire club.
He is a forceful right hand bat and off break bowler who made his first class debut for Boland in his native South Africa aged 21.
After three seasons at Alexandra Meadows he joined Accrington where he spent another three seasons before linking up with Lowerhouse in 2017.
He did another three seasons there before joining his current club Burnley where he is especially regarded for his work both on and off the field.
He’s also a useful rugby union player and during his time in England has played full-back for Blackburn.
Carlisle have been forced to find a substitute professional for tomorrow’s game as their pro Michael Slack broke his toe playing for Cumbria at Buckinghamshire on Tuesday.
Slack, Carlisle’s leading run-maker, said: “Basically I cracked it playing tennis earlier in the week but got through the first two days playing for Cumbria against Buckinghamshire.
“On the final day I was batting and pushed off for a run and felt it snap. It’s a clean break apparently which is positive. They said four to six weeks but I’m hoping to be back before then.”
They also have all-rounder Nico Watt out of action after splitting the webbing on his hand, also during the game for Cumbria.
Carlisle, with eight games left to play have a five-point lead over Cockermouth at the top of the Premier Division with Keswick a further two points back in third. Cockermouth are at home to Haverigg tomorrow.
