Talented wicket-keeper batsmen set for spell on the sidelines

Romford Recorder: Hornchurch captain Roy Smith (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO)Hornchurch captain Roy Smith (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO) (Image: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Football Lea...)

Things could not have gone much better for Hornchurch this year as we approach the halfway stage of the Essex League season.

In Division One they sit top of the table with 155 points from eight matches with seven victories and just one draw.

Whilst they are in the quarter-finals of the Dukes Essex T20 competition and beat Premier League giants Wanstead earlier this campaign in the National Cup.

However, captain Roy Smith has revealed dangerous wicket-keeper batsmen Paul Murray is set to miss the next few weeks after cracking a bone in his wrist.

Murray suffered the injury during his knock of 112 against Harlow on June 13 and Ronnie Saunders and Sam Peiris have deputised over the past two weeks.

Smith said: “Sam is a good lad and he plays Sunday cricket. He was someone we got signed up in case Paul didn’t recover in time.

“It turns out Paul has cracked a bone in his wrist. When he got his hundred against Harlow, he went for a quick single and dived in and caught his wrist on the bat handle.

“He carried on batting and kept behind the stumps as well but went to hospital the next day and it was confirmed he had cracked a bone so he is in a cast. Unfortunately he will be out for six weeks.”

Although a blow to Hornchurch and their hopes of achieving a league and cup double this season, Smith believes it is an opportunity for others.

He earmarked Michael Bones as the man to step up and replace Murray whilst he is out injured, adding: “If Sam isn’t available we have Michael Bones, he is back this week.

“He is a very good understudy to Paul. Unfortunately he doesn’t get the chances he deserves behind the stumps but he is the future of the club.”