The Saturday Interview: This week, batsman GRAHAM KNOWLES. . .

WHEN the Lancashire League statistics are fired around the grounds at the end of the 2004 season, they will have a distinctly unfamiliar look.

Whether it's batting averages, run records or individual performances, one significant name will be missing from the lists.

But when Graham Knowles returns from his year's sabbatical away from Haslingden, he should be in better shape than ever to re-write the record books once again.

The 30-year-old batsman is jetting off for 12 months in Australia -- the one place you'd choose to be if you have ambitions of becoming a better cricketer.

And when he returns, Graham wants to carry on the tradition of the Knowles family in the Lancashire League and emulate his father.

Bryan Knowles achieved 1,050 runs for Haslingden in 1981, the most runs by a Hassy batsman in one season.

And watching from the stands that year was one of Knowles' biggest fans -- his eight-year-old son.

"My father was a huge influence for me. I used to go down to the nets to watch him train against the likes of Hartley Alleyne," said Graham.

And his father's influence has no doubt had an affect on the cricketer that Graham is today.

Haslingden is obviously in the Knowles' blood, with Graham's grandfather an avid follower, and his brother Barry being alongside him in the first team.

"I think I was made a member of Haslingden Cricket Club by my father 40 minutes after I was born," laughed the 30-year-old.

But he is going to have to wait until 2005 if he is to reach his father's milestone of 1,000 runs in a season, as he begins his year away in January.

Graham is moving to Perth as his wife Louise, a primary school teacher, has been placed on an exchange scheme. But Knowles will attempt to fulfil one of his dreams while out there and play cricket in Australia.

He said: "Mike Ingham has put me in contact with old professional Mick Malone, who lives in Scarborough, near Perth.

"He is going to try to get me in at Scarborough Sports Club. I'm not bothered what level I play at, as long as I get to play cricket."

But unlike the windy and wet east coast equivalent in England, Knowles will be facing temperatures in the region of 30-40 degrees, and some of the toughest wickets to play on in the world.

"I think we will definitely get a game in every week without pulling the covers over. The pitches are some of the fastest in the world.

"I'm not looking forward to some 19-year-old Australian lads bounding down at me, I might have to get used to wearing body armour.

"I can see these young Australians running rings round me!"

"The pitches will not be the only difference with the cricket Down Under, as the games are played for two days over the weekend.

"I will go out there and give it my best shot. It's something I have always wanted to do."

Knowles has recently taken his coaching badge in cricket, and knows that the game in Australia is far advanced than the Lancashire League, something that he thinks can improve with time.

"We can only learn from the game in Australia," said Graham. "But I think that the effort to try and get youngsters into the game at the moment is at a high.

"The problem lies with kids spending too much time on computers. When I was old enough I was straight down the cricket ground with my dad."

Since starting at Haslingden at a very young age, Knowles has had a proven track record in the Lancashire League, and was a professional for five years, playing at Prestwich and Whalley.

This is not surprising for a guy who obviously has cricket in his genes, having graced the Old Trafford field for Lancashire regularly at second team level, and has played in the first team in a number of cup matches.

Graham had a great season with Haslingden last year, breaking records and narrowly missing out on a title medal.

He set two new record stands with Mike Ingham, including the league's highest-ever, scoring 875 runs on the way.

His stats speak for themself, consistently averaging over 750 runs a season and his 183 not out against Rawtenstall in 1996 is the highest amateur individual score in Lancashire League history.

"I want to come back and get 1,000 runs like the old man " said Knowles. "I don't think there has ever been a father and son who have both scored 1,000 runs in a season in the Lancashire League.

"That would be an achievement, and then I can retire to the golf course like him. "

"I know I am good enough. I had four tons last year, but felt I was a bit inconsistent.

"Phil Simmons once told me to play the game I knew I could, and be confident in myself. I have since always tried to improve myself."

But the Hassy following may yet see Graham light up the scoreboard at Bent Gate for a couple of games next year, as he is planning a mini trip back to the UK.

He said: "I promised to come back for Mark Rishton's wedding, and you never know I might get a couple of games in!"