BLACKBURN Northern have refused to comment over the shock departure of their professional Ryan Maron.

The South African played his final game for Northern last Saturday, when he scored just 11 runs from 80 deliveries before being run out.

His representative Frank Ogden claimed Maron had to return home for personal reasons, involving a family illness.

But Northern's cricket secretary Geoff Eccles added a hint of intrigue to the situation by declining to comment, other than to confirm the Western Province batsman had played his last game for the Vaux Ribblesdale League club.

"The club will not be making any statement at the moment," he said.

Maron has had a poor season and Northern are rooted to the foot of the table.

Only an occasional bowler, he has batted 19 times for 352 runs and an average of just over 18. He has a highest score of 74.

There was a meeting between club officials and the player's representatives this week when his early departure was settled.

Mr Ogden said: "He has to go back home for personal reasons. It's just one of those things and he can't get his head around playing cricket at the moment."

The Ribblesdale League have decided Northern will not be allowed to have a replacement professional for the remaining seven games of the season.

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