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Himley Cricket Club have been dealt a huge hammer blow only days before the start of their Birmingham League Premier Division season after influential wicketkeeper Jagbhir Dhillon was ruled out for the entire campaign.

The experienced gloveman will be out of action for the season after going down with appendicitis last week.

It was originally hoped he would make a comeback before the conclusion of the campaign but that has since being ruled out.

Captain Greg Wright is now on the look out for a new keeper with 16-year-old reserve Jack Whittaker on school duty up until July.

Wright said: "This has really hit our plans hard.

"Jagbhir is a key player for us not only as a wicketkeepr but also with the bat, because he was going to bring some much needed experience to our batting line-up.

"We have got Jack as back up and we do have high hopes for him but we just don't think he's quite ready yet, plus he's got school cricket commitments for the first half of the season anyway.

"This situation is not ideal and gives us a problem therefore we are obviously looking around for a replacement."

The first team squad will have a much younger feel to it this time round.

Since last September, Worcestershire contracted fast bowler Richard Jones has moved to Old Hill by his request, Stuart Lampitt's retired and Shafiq Ahmed will be palying for Premier Division rivals West Bromwich Dartmouth.

Replacing Jones has the Stourbridge Road's contracted county player is Liverpudlian speedster Chris Whelan.

Young Worcestershire Academy star Nitesh Patel has also being snapped up.

The batting all-rounder will be making his Birmingham League debut after coming through the youth set-up at Stourbridge.

A further winter signing is old boy Dave Willis who has returned following a spell at Old Hill.

Himley have also kept hold of fast bowler Stuart Wedge following his Worcestershire departure and overseas star TP Singh.

The Indian all-rounder made a huge impact in his first season last year, claiming 27 wickets and scoring 407 runs.

The impetus on youth has lowered Wright's expectations and he believes last season's third-placed finish may be out of reach this time round.

He said: "Expectations at the club have changed for this season.

"Unlike in past seasons we will not be expected to be fighting for the title.

"We are going into the campaign with a young squad who have limited experience against a host of teams who have spent big over the winter.

"We are just looking for consolidation and maybe some silverware in one of the many cup competititions we are in."

Himley will start the season this Saturday with an away game at Walmley (1pm start).

10:33am Thursday 1st May 2008

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