Cleckheaton will be without key player James Lee as they seek to continue their impressive start to the JCT600 Bradford League Division One campaign at home to Lightcliffe tomorrow.

The ex-Yorkshire bowler has played an important role in the club’s rise to second place but will be at the wedding of David Syers.

The former Bradford City footballer – who is now with Doncaster Rovers – used to play with Lee at Farsley.

Cleckheaton are hoping Iain Wardlaw will be made available by Yorkshire to fill the gap but team-mate Richard Whitehurst admits Lee will be missed.

He said: “It’s a big blow as Jimmy has been getting wickets and runs.

“On his day, he swings it both ways and, when he gets it right, he is up there with the best. Even if he is not bowling in great areas, he picks up wickets and seems to have a magic ball.”

Lee showed how good he can be when taking eight wickets in the match for Leeds-Bradford MCCU in their victory over Leicestershire earlier this season and also claiming 7-45 against Yorkshire.

His ability with the bat also proved crucial when he made an unbeaten 56 in Cleckheaton’s victory over East Bierley on Monday.

“Jimmy played the perfect middle-order innings at Bierley,” said Whitehurst, who scored 48 while putting on 72 in just 47 balls for the seventh wicket with Lee. “He rotated the strike really well and hit it when needed.”

Cleckheaton have broken their habit of being slow starters and Whitehurst believes the platform is there to at least improve on last year’s fourth spot.

He said: “There is no reason why we can’t challenge for the league.

“Our aim is to win it and we’ll be disappointed if we don’t. That’s not to say it’s going to be easy to topple Woodlands and there will be other teams challenging. But we believe we have got a real chance.”

Whitehurst’s confidence stems not just from the talent but also the camaraderie in Cleckheaton’s squad.

He said: “Team spirit is really good. From one to 11, everyone is there if we go out for a team do.”

The former Esholt and Gomersal skipper is expecting a tough test from Light- cliffe, who bounced back from a surprise defeat against lowly Saltaire with a comprehensive victory over Baildon on Monday.

He said: “They are a dangerous side as they have a lot of good batsmen, so there is always someone who can get big runs.

“They’ve got Chris Taylor, Alex Stead and Charlie Roebuck while bowling wise, even though they have lost (Chris) Greenwood, they have brought in Mahmood Rasool from Yeadon.

“We had a real nail-biter with them last season when we got home by one wicket after our last pair put on 40.”

Elsewhere, Woodlands will hope to extend their 13-point advantage at the top when they head to Morley but they won’t find things easy at Scatchard Lane.

Third-placed Pudsey St Lawrence should be in bouyant mood after their derby win against Pudsey Congs as they host Bradford & Bingley, while Congs look to bounce back at Baildon.

Hanging Heaton host Saltaire, while fourth-placed Manningham Mills entertain East Bierley.

Division Two leaders Farsley are at home to Idle.