OSWALDTWISTLE Immanuel skipper Gerard Metcalf is ruing the one that got away.
Two seasons ago he was offered Nishit Shetty as a pro - and turned it down.
Now the 33-year-old, from Mumbai, is turning on the style in the Lancashire League.
"We almost signed him two seasons ago," admitted Metcalf.
"His agent offered him to us and we had the choice between him and Raja Ali. We looked at it and Raja had more experience.
"We chose Raja, Nishit went to Greenmount and he has never looked back."
How Immanuel could do with the big hitter now as they seek their first win of the season.
"We have struggled with the bat. Beside me and the pro, only two players have got into double figures this season," continued the captain.
"We always knew it was going to be hard and we have just got to keep plugging away.
"The problem is there is little we can do to change it.
"There are seven cricket teams in Hyndburn and there are only a few players.
"Up until this season, the Lancashire League teams were also struggling as they had the same problem as us, with getting players in.
"But we just have to hope we can go and get a couple of wins."
It's a double header this weekend with Oswaldtwistle facing Settle and Whalley - the team which beat them in the first round of the Ramsbottom Cup last weekend.
"We know we will have to play to the maximum of our ability and try and get some runs," continued the captain.
"In our last league game, Ribblesdale Wanderers only set us 159 and it should have been achievable but only the pro and myself got into double figures.
"We needed four an over for the last 12 overs with five wickets in hand and we still couldn't do it."
Professional Ahmer Saeed has got 33, 57 and 27 in their three games so far while Metcalf hit a half ton in their cup defeat to Whalley at the weekend.
"Ahmer has been consistent. He has got the runs and got three wickets at the weekend.
"There are no problems with him - we just need to get more runs from elsewhere and one win would be a start."
While Oswaldtwistle have a big weekend, there should be a good local derby at Cliffe Park on Sunday as title hopefuls Great Harwood take on Baxenden.
Bash will have been furious to get knocked out of the Ramsbottom Cup by holders Settle on Saturday and will be looking to bounce back this weekend.
They face Read tomorrow [Sat] - who are struggling at the wrong end of the table - before the Harwood clash.
"I speak to Great Harwood captain Russell Whalley quite a bit so we will be winding each other up about the game," said Baxenden captain Mark Rishton.
Harwood, who had a bye in the first round of the Ramsbottom Cup, are at Earby tomorrow.
