Rizwan Haider is flying back from Europe on Sunday morning to take part in the Sykes Cup final for Golcar.

The Swallow Lane all-rounder has been on a stag trip to Ibiza but is returning early to play in the arrowselfdrive showpiece against Hoylandswaine at Honley (1.00).

Opening bowler Andy Alsop is also returning early from a wedding to play in the final, for which Golcar are definitely without opening batsman Niall Lockley because of holidays.

Both Haider and Alsop are valuable, experienced men for skipper Steve Whitwam, who has already called up 15-year-old second-team batsman Muhammad Ali.

Swaine are waiting on the fitness of Ryan Copley, who is due to take over from absent wicketkeeper Alan Mynett, who is also away on holiday.

The Haigh Lane club – leaders of the Drakes Premiership and already winners of the allroundercricket.com T20 Trophy – will be hoping Copley pulls through, because skipper Michael Cranmer is having treatment for a knee injury and is rated only 50-50 to make the toss-up on Sunday.

Richard Wilkinson skippered them in last weekend’s win at Shepley which opened an 11-point gap at the top of the table. Second-teamer Scott Marsh can take the gloves should Copley miss out.

Officials are hoping the weather turns out better than forecast to avoid any carry-overs.

Heavy rain is on the agenda, apparently. Ten overs need to be completed for the final to be carried over to Monday, Tuesday and following evenings.

If fewer than 10 overs are played, it can be rescheduled.

The league programme last weekend was disrupted, of course, with most clubs having to carry out mopping-up operations before play could get under way.

Meanwhile, there is a new sponsor for the Jim Dawson man-of-the-match award in the final.

Now backing the prestigious award are North Light Physiotherapy Associates, who are bast at Brooks Mill in Armitage Bridge.

Heading the team there is Chris Liversidge, who is a physio with Yorkshire County Cricket Club.