Todmorden’s injury jinx has struck yet again with the news that wicketkeeper Joe Hanson will be out for a month with two broken ribs sustained in last Friday’s 20/20 match at Burnley.
Hanson was struck by a ball from Burnley paceman Cole Hayman which required an immediate visit to hospital.
Although the full extent of the injury is still to be ascertained, it is expected that Hanson will be out of action for at least two weeks.
It has been a desperate period for skipper Andrew Sutcliffe’s side. He too can only watch from the sidelines for the next four or five weeks as he waits for his damaged wrist to heal while Elliott Gilford is also out of action with damaged fingers.
Two bright spots have emerged from Tod’s recent problems. The first was the return of Simon Newbitt and Gideon Foster from their respective injuries while the second has seen some of the club’s youngsters given a taste of life in the senior side.
“It’s typical that we get two players back and then lose another one,” said Sutcliffe. “However, it has given some of the young players at the club the chance to come in.
“Although they are young they are all pretty confident. The experience will be invaluable and hopefully they will become better cricketers.”
Unsurprisingly, Todmorden have been struggling. Friday’s defeat saw them unable to qualify for the latter stages of the 20/20 competition and their Lancashire League form also showed no sign of improving after they were beaten by Burnley on Sunday.
Pro Geeth Alwis fell agonisingly short of his maiden league century, being run out for 97. The Sri Lankan hit eleven fours and a six, adding 123 for the second wicket with Ben Sutcliffe (46) in Todmorden’s 226 for eight.
Foster removed Dan Pickup (11) at 35, but Chris Burton and Qasim Ali both hit 44 in a second wicket stand of 68.
Burnley skipper Bharat Tripathi hit a career best unbeaten 62 in an unbroken match winning fifth wicket stand of 75 with club chairman Michael Brown who hit five fours in an unbeaten 34.
Todmorden are in 20/20 action again on Friday when league champions Lowerhouse are the visitors.
“They are talking about bringing about 60 spectators who are going to camp out at the ground,” added Sutcliffe.
“Then it will be a full English breakfast for them the following morning in readiness for the league game between the two sides.
“All in all it should make for a cracking weekend with plenty of atmosphere.”