IN-form United opening bowler Sam Whitbread threw a scare into the camp this week when he withdrew from the side to meet Kempsey side Nulla in the Mid North Coast Premier League cricket clash at South Kempsey tomorrow.
“He rang me to say he’s busted his ankle,’’ United captain Ricky Campbell said.
Campbell immediately thought the worst, fearing his main strike weapon could be sidelined for much of the season.
However, Whitbread allayed his concerns.
“I don’t know how he did it (the injury) but at this stage Sam thinks he’ll only be missing the one game,’’ Campbell said.
United will also have allrounder Dean Mills back after he missed the win over Rovers at last week.
Campbell has yet to decide who will open the bowling with Jackson Witts, however, he pointed out that Zac Sheather performed strongly last week when taking four wickets so he is a possibility.
“Tom Burley’s another one,’’ Campbell said.
“So I have a few options.’’
United sit in fifth spot, two points shy of fourth placed Wauchope RSL and Campbell said this is a vital encounter. Nulla are sixth on 21 points.
“If we win this weekend we’ll be looking good going into the (Christmas) break,’’ Campbell pointed out.
United plays Wingham on Saturday week before having the in the bye in the last round before yuletide.
