St Cross Symondians have lost the services of Blacks Caps One Day International all-rounder George Worker, pictured, who has returned to New Zealand to receive specialist treatment on an elbow ligament injury that has side-lined him for the past month or so.
The 26-year old, who is centrally contracted, made only five meaningful Southern Premier Division appearances for the Winchester club, top scoring with 95 not out against Ventnor and taking 12 wickets with his nagging left-arm spin.
Disappointed St Cross Symondians chairman Jon Player said: “George had been a great lift to the team through his all round performance but also through his personality and professionalism.
“A modest man, he has spent many hours manning the Club barbeque and coaching across a range of ages and abilities and consequently has made many new friends on his second term at St Cross.
“We wish him well on his road to recovery and, hopefully, a New Zealand series against Pakistan later in the year.”
Worker’s departure is another setback for St Cross, who have also seen Adam Rouse suffer a serious finger injury playing for Kent and talented Southampton Solent University all-rounder Matt Stokes leave to play for Market Harborough in the Leicestershire & Rutland Premier League.
Joe Weatherley also misses the island visit having played in Hampshire’s T20 triumphs against Glamorgan and Sussex the past two nights.
St Cross look to arrest a four-match losing run against rock-bottom Ventnor at Newclose, the islanders having lost all eight completed games so far.
But they gave champions South Wilts a fright last week and are boosted by the return of opening bowler Adam Wilson.
Ventnor: Snell, Woodhouse, Buckman, Wilson, Holmes, Glendenning, Cox, Calloway, Whyte, Willis, Cheek.
New Milton and Lymington take their long standing New Forest rivalry to the extreme, with two derbies in the space of 24 hours at Fernhill !
They pair up in Friday evening’s President's Cup final (6.15) and then, with the dust barely having settled, meet again with ECB Southern Premier Division points at stake on Saturday morning, 11.30.
Lymington emerged winners from a high scoring league contest in the second match of the season, but New Milton have come on since then and, after three straight wins, are climbing the log.
Milton, with a full strength side, have one-time Bournemouth spinner Joe Hall in particularly good form, having celebrated a five-wicket haul in last week's win over St Cross Symondians.
Lymington make one change from the tied Bashley (Rydal) derby, with Jack Roberts returning, but Ryan Scott is far from fully fit from his groin injury.
New Milton: Arnold, L Beck, R Beck, Elliott, Hall, Haggaty, Loader, J Park, N Park, Shrubsole, Watts.
Lymington: Beetham, Ellis, Metcalfe, Freeman, Scott, Rogers, Lock, Roberts, Hand, Grierson, Crabb.
The 26-year old, who is centrally contracted, made only five meaningful Southern Premier Division appearances for the Winchester club, top scoring with 95 not out against Ventnor and taking 12 wickets with his nagging left-arm spin.
Disappointed St Cross Symondians chairman Jon Player said: “George had been a great lift to the team through his all round performance but also through his personality and professionalism.
“A modest man, he has spent many hours manning the Club barbeque and coaching across a range of ages and abilities and consequently has made many new friends on his second term at St Cross.
“We wish him well on his road to recovery and, hopefully, a New Zealand series against Pakistan later in the year.”
Worker’s departure is another setback for St Cross, who have also seen Adam Rouse suffer a serious finger injury playing for Kent and talented Southampton Solent University all-rounder Matt Stokes leave to play for Market Harborough in the Leicestershire & Rutland Premier League.
Joe Weatherley also misses the island visit having played in Hampshire’s T20 triumphs against Glamorgan and Sussex the past two nights.
St Cross look to arrest a four-match losing run against rock-bottom Ventnor at Newclose, the islanders having lost all eight completed games so far.
But they gave champions South Wilts a fright last week and are boosted by the return of opening bowler Adam Wilson.
Ventnor: Snell, Woodhouse, Buckman, Wilson, Holmes, Glendenning, Cox, Calloway, Whyte, Willis, Cheek.
New Milton and Lymington take their long standing New Forest rivalry to the extreme, with two derbies in the space of 24 hours at Fernhill !
They pair up in Friday evening’s President's Cup final (6.15) and then, with the dust barely having settled, meet again with ECB Southern Premier Division points at stake on Saturday morning, 11.30.
Lymington emerged winners from a high scoring league contest in the second match of the season, but New Milton have come on since then and, after three straight wins, are climbing the log.
Milton, with a full strength side, have one-time Bournemouth spinner Joe Hall in particularly good form, having celebrated a five-wicket haul in last week's win over St Cross Symondians.
Lymington make one change from the tied Bashley (Rydal) derby, with Jack Roberts returning, but Ryan Scott is far from fully fit from his groin injury.
New Milton: Arnold, L Beck, R Beck, Elliott, Hall, Haggaty, Loader, J Park, N Park, Shrubsole, Watts.
Lymington: Beetham, Ellis, Metcalfe, Freeman, Scott, Rogers, Lock, Roberts, Hand, Grierson, Crabb.