BASINGSTOKE and North Hants’ hopes of keeping their current winning run going in the Thames Valley League have been dealt a bitter blow this week with the news that skipper Russell Droy could be out for a month.

The opening batsman was hit on the side of the hand during last Saturday’s six-wicket win over visiting Cove and x-rays the following day revealed a break to a bone in his hand.

He will therefore be only able to cheer his side from the sidelines this weekend they travel to bottom of the pile Thatcham looking to make it three wins on the trot and chalk up their first success away from May’s Bounty this season.

Droy said: “I am not sure who will be the captain this weekend as it will all depend on who is available, but we have plenty of experienced players in the team. I want the team to go out there and win without me and I am sure they can do it.”

Droy has had an excellent start to the season as opener, but in recent weeks other players have come to the fore with the bat and last week it was the turn of Joe McDonnell and Matt Thankachan in the Bountymen’s victory over Cove.

When these sides last met, at Thatcham in 2008, the home side won by three wickets.

Droy is also ruled out the National Club Championship game at South Wilts on Sunday, as he was last week when the team travelled to Wiltshire.

Andy Giles took over the role of captain, but, with no umpires, the game against the Southern League Division One side was cancelled, leaving the Basingstoke players to make the same journey again this weekend.

Droy said: “It was a real mess-up and very annoying when you consider it is not the first time this has happened to us in this competition.”