Reman Services skipper Mal Serplet faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the new cricket season after suffering a painful injury while on a ski-ing holiday with his team mates.
Serplet, the prolific Australian batsman, snapped a ligament in his shoulder just a few hours after hitting the slopes in France, writes STUART DUNN.
The injury meant he was unable to reach for his skis for the remainder of his break and he is now desperate to get fit in order to lead Reman on the first day of the Proactive Shropshire Premier Cricket League season at Welshpool on April 26.
“It was the first day of the holiday and I had only been ski-ing for about three hours when it happened,” said Serplet. “I went over landed on my shoulder and must have hit a block of ice instead of snow.
“I’ve snapped a ligament in my shoulder and the collar bone is unattached and sticking up. It will be four to six weeks until I really know what’s happening there.
“I’m hoping I don’t miss any cricket and I’m devastated about it. This is the time of year when you really knuckle down and get in the nets.
“In the meantime, the physio has given me some exercises to try and get the movement back in the shoulder.”
On a brighter note, Serplet said he was delighted that Reman had managed to hold on to the services of former Shropshire skipper Mark Davies for a second season.
Davies had been targeted by several higher division clubs but has opted to remain at Albert Road.
“He’s indicated he’s going to stay,” said Serplet. “He’s had offers from elsewhere but he enjoyed last year and he’s a big help to me.”
But there has been one departure from Reman this week with highly-rated wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Swift, described as “a big talent” by Serplet, deciding to sign for Birmingham League neighbours Shrewsbury.
Andy Barnard, chairman of the London Road club, said: “Matthew’s a member of the Shropshire under-16 squad and a very talented wicketkeeper-batsman. He arrives to supplement a very young senior squad.
“Matthew will need to recover from a fractured pelvis, a football injury, before beginning his career at Shrewsbury.
“The whole club are excited about the addition of such a talented player and wish him a speedy recovery. Hopefully he will find the step up to the Birmingham League to his liking.”