CHRIS Harris faces a dramatic race against the clock to reach Acre Bottom in time for Sunday's Jennings Worsley Cup first round tie between Ramsbottom and Rishton.

New Zealand all-rounder Harris, who has missed Ramsbottom's start to the Marsden BS Lancashire Cricket League season through international commitments, is due to arrive at Gatwick airport at 7am on Sunday, a matter of hours before the cup game.

And Acre Bottom official Peter Spencer revealed that the club would have a car waiting to collect the professional, who flies in from Bermuda where he is playing with New Zealand at the moment.

They have also arranged for regular stand-in professional Peter Sleep, formerly of Rishton, to be on hand just in case.

"Any delays could cause problems and we don't know what kind of shape Chris will be in, but I spoke to him last night and he definitely wants to play," said Mr Spencer.

"Peter has agreed to go on stand-by just in case anything goes wrong, such as the flight being delayed."

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