Nigel Eckersley, the England No.2 veteran, is sufering from tennis elbow after a punishing season.

Eckersley, 50, from Uckfield, is holder of the English Veterans Championship and plays for Sussex in the County Championships. He is expected to be out of action until October.

He said: "I have had an ultra-sound scan confirming the problems in my right elbow. I have been advised to rest as much as possible but I shall be keeping fit in the gym."

The first event he will miss is a vital British League weekend at Slough in a fortnight's time. He would have been playing for Reading against Horsham in the battle for the Division 1 (South) Championship.

Fortunately, county events do not start until October, so he could be fit by them.

Horsham captain Andy Walker said: "Playing against Reading without Nigel at Slough will give us an excellent chance of winning more points during the opening weekend."

Sussex leagues are reminded that the new service rules start on September 1 for all competitions. The ball must be visible to both opponents and the umpire during the service action.