Iain Brunnschweiler could play in goal for AFC Totton in Sunday's Carlsberg FA Vase final against Truro City at Wembley Stadium.

But he won't be batting or keeping wicket for Burridge in the npower National Village Cup final at Lord's come the end of the cricket season.

That's because Brunnschweiler and his Burridge teammates have been forced to withdraw from the village knockout for breaking competition rules.

All appeared well as Brunnschweiler hit an unbeaten 73 in Burridge's 34-run first round win over Tichborne Park last weekend.

But competition organisers spotted that Brunnschweiler had made six first team appearances for Hampshire during a three-year spell as a contracted professional on the Rose Bowl staff - among them a match-winning performance against Steve Waugh's Australians in 2001.

They promptly invited the newly promoted Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 club to withdraw.

A spokesman for the Wisden Cricketer magazine, who run the competition, said: "Anyone who has played in a first class match cannot turn out in the Village Cup until he's 60 years of age, which in Iain's case means is not eligible until the 2039 competition."

Tongue firmly in cheek, Brunnschweiler said he was "gutted."

"It's been my ambition to play in a Wembley and a Lord's final in the same season, but I'm not really sure I'll still be playing in 32 years time."

For full story see today's Daily Echo.