FORMER England star Ian Austin is still toying with the idea of whether to call it a day at the end of the season - but Baxenden winning the league might persuade him to play on.

The 42-year-old has thought about ending his illustrious cricket career at the end of this season at Back Lane.

But he admits Bash winning the title - if they can catch Great Harwood with six games to go - could persuade him to endure and/or enjoy another season.

"I have been very fortunate in my career to play in successful teams and it would be nice to end my career on a high from a professional point of view," said Austin, who won the NatWest Trophy among other things in his glittering career at Lancashire.

"I began my career in the Ribblesdale League with Clitheroe so it would be nice to end it in the same league with a winning season.

"And when you are winning you think about how good it is, what a buzz you get, the banter and everyone is as keen as mustard.

"But on a Monday morning after a double header weekend I do feel differently. And when it is cold, rainy and miserable and, if it is not going our way, it might be a different story but winning the league might make me think about it."

The Ribblesdale League is building up to an exciting finale with probably three teams in Harwood, Bash and Padiham vying for the coveted title.

And, with six games left, this weekend’s double header is a crucial one with Bash chasing table toppers Great Harwood.

Austin said: "Harwood are a win ahead of us and so we can’t afford to lose as there is little time now to catch them as the games are running out.

"If we don’t win both our games this weekend and everyone else does then forget it, as we will fall too far behind and lose too much ground.

"If we lose tomorrow at Settle then we go potentially two games behind Harwood with five games left and that is a big ask.

"But I do think, though, it will go down to the wire and I think that is good for the teams involved at the top and the neutral as it makes it a good end to the season.

"We do have some big games left in playing Harwood and Padiham but I am not even looking to them as this weekend is important.

"We have just got to turn up, keep it simple, win our games and then worry about other teams.

"The top three teams are under pressure as a lot of the teams they are playing will have little to play for and so they will be relaxed while the top three will be trying not to slip up. It’s an interesting end."

Baxenden were leading the way last season but faltered and ended up in runners-up spot while Harwood have not won the title in more than 100 years - the nerves could be there.

"You would expect them but I think the young lads here at Baxenden have learnt a lot from last season," said Austin.

"I think they perhaps got ahead of themselves thinking they had done the hard work last season but it counts for nothing if you don’t win anything at the end and so we will not get too far ahead of ourselves."

Saturday was a big test for Bash as they faced fellow title chancers Edenfield in a second v third placed clash. But it ended up a comfortable eight wicket win for Mark Rishton’s side.

"It was a massive game for us and we bowled reasonably well," said Austin.

"Edenfield rely heavily on Baber Naeem and we know he can’t do it every week and I thought they might lose a couple of games before the end of the season so it was an important win for us."

And he says the banter has stopped between him and Harwood’s Russell Whalley but, come September, he hopes to send a text to the Harwood batsman.

"I have known Russell a long time and it is all friendly. I would, though, like to upset him at the end of the season and will be getting in contact with him if we win - I am sure he will do the same if they win!"

great Harwood maintained their place at the top of the table with a comfortable win over Cherry Tree.

They got rid of Cherry Tree for 84 thanks to pro Syed Shahabuddin’s three wickets - he now has 82 for the season.

And it was easy to knock off the runs ahead of their double header against Ribblesdale Wanderers and Settle.

OSWALDTWISTLE IMMANUEL failed to make the final of the 20/20 competition as they were bowled out for 89 in the semi-final against Whalley on Sunday. Whalley won by eight wickets to face Edenfield in the final.

The day before, in a high scoring game, Imran Abid took four wickets; pro Andy Kerr made 73 and Gerard Metcalf made an unbeaten 59 but Immanuel remain bottom after losing to Barnoldswick.