WORSLEY Cup hero Anwar Ali will roar back into the heat of the famous competition on Saturday as he plays for Rawtenstall in their rearranged first round tie at Nelson.

The Pakistani pace ace, who bowled Colne to the crown last year with a lightning quick spell in the final at Ramsbottom, is now playing for Morecambe in the Northern League – but the seasiders have no game on Saturday.

And with Rawtenstall still awaiting the arrival of new pro Nilantha Coora, skipper Vinny Hanson has turned to the 23-year-old, who claimed 133 wickets in his two part seasons with Colne.

The capture of Ali adds extra spice to the tie, which was the last of the five abandoned games to be called off as the rain swept across Lancashire on Sunday afternoon.

Eventually the tie was called off with the Seedhill square too wet to consider playing and will take place on Saturday.

Ali was a popular figure at Colne and claimed 13 wickets in three Lancashire League games against Nelson in the Pendle derby.

Had the game started on Sunday, Rawtenstall would have had a problem with sub-pro Saliya Saman would not have been available this weekend as he is back in action for his side Carlisle.

Once a Worsley Cup game commences, teams are unable to make any changes to their side.