York Cricket Club face an uncertain start to the new Yorkshire Premier League season on Saturday after losing two key players.

They begin the campaign at home to Rotherham before visiting Castleford and entertaining Scarborough over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

But they will be without Australian bowler Nash Stone, who has a torn shoulder muscle. As he took 74 wickets and scored 524 runs last year his absence is a severe blow.

Piercy meanwhile damaged his thumb in a butchering accident and will miss the first few weeks.

York are also soon to lose another regular wicket-taker as Greg How is to move south in a new job.

On the plus side skipper Nigel Durham has last year's prolific batting line-up of Marcus Wood, Simon Mason and Nick Kay to call upon, plus new recruit from Slazengers Robert Flack, who is a powerful medium-paced all-rounder.

Practice on the grass pitches will be Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.15pm. Junior training is on Fridays at 6pm and children from eight to 14 years old are welcome. Contact Chris Houseman on 01904-610258.

Updated: 12:06 Wednesday, April 25, 2001