Oswestry have been left shocked by the announcement that the club's overseas's professional Rituraj Singh will return to India at the end of the month.

The shock announcement, which comes the Morda Road side dropped down to fourth in the Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League Division One, has left Oswestry in a state of spin as they currently do not have a replacement professional lined up.

Club chairman Chris Wiseman expects Singh's last game to be against Wellington next Saturday.

In a short statement, he said: "Ritu has told us he must be back in India by August 1, owing to work and playing commitments.

"He is likely to play his last game against Wellington on Saturday. His agent has been informed.''

Mr. Wiseman declined to comment further.

It is believed that the fast medium pace bowler who is under contract to the club until the end of the season, had offered to return in September to play in the final matches, but this was rejected.

Oswestry are likely to take steps to secure an immediate replacement, but time is short with any new player having to be registered by July 31 under league regulations. Oswestry cannot register any new overseas player.

Singh, who did not arrive in the country, for the start of the season because of visa problems, has taken 19 wickets at an average of 23.68 with a strike rate of 34.74 in his nine appearances for the Morda Road side.