McDonald goes home by Nigel Stockley - May 31st 2004

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Player:

AB McDonald

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Haslingden professional Andrew McDonald is to return home after a back injury forced the club to terminate his contract.

 

Haslingden Chairman Mark Rothwell said: "Andrew has not managed to shrug off the back injury he sustained in the first game of the season. We feel that it is in the best interests of all parties for him to return home and receive the required treatment from his state. His main priority is to be fit for the start of his domestic season. We are bitterly disappointed to be parting company with Andrew, he is a fantastic player, a super lad and the league is worse off without his talents. This is the second time in two years we have been forced to say goodbye to a professional before June. There is still a long way to go in the season and we feel we are still very much in contention. Our first choice will be to find a permanent replacement, beyond that we will have to programme in a succession of substitute professionals."

 

McDonald signed for the club last season but didn't play enough First-class matches to meet the Work Permit criteria so Haslingden had to look elsewhere. In January, Ramsbottom announced that Andrew had agreed terms with them, but this fell through when Haslingden made him a better offer. McDonald did actually appear in the Lancashire League last season whilst over on tour. He played for Enfield as substitute professional against Rishton, taking 3-80 in 25 overs, but was not called upon to bat in Enfield's 9 wicket win.

 

Last season Jerry Cassell was forced to return home suffering from "back spasms" after playing in just three league matches for his club.

 

Haslingden had arranged for Rohan Gavaskar to sub pro' last weekend but the Indian had to cry off on Friday night suffering from a viral infection. The role is something of a poisoned chalice at the moment as Littleborough professional Clinton Perren suffered a broken finger standing in for McDonald the previous week.