RISHTON Cricket Club have decided on experience for the Lancashire League season as they have signed South African Deon Kruis.

The 29-year-old is a fast medium pace bowler who opens the bowling and bats at number 11 for his state Griqualand West.

"We have been chasing him for a number of years - we wanted him in 2001," said Rishton chairman Rod Simpson, whose side inished bottom last season.

"He is a very experienced league professional which we need as we have such a young side. He has played in the Central Lancashire League and got more than 1000 runs at 50 and 100 wickets at 10.64."

Kruis is so keen to come over for the start of the season that he is missing a 20/20 competition in South Africa.

"He has been given special permission to miss it so it shows how much he wants to come over."

Kruis has played in 66 First Class matches, scoring 1125 runs at 13.9 and taken 222 wickets at 28.8 with a best of 7-58. He also played for Blackpool in the Northern Premier League last season, tacking 56 wickets at 6.4 and he also sub-proed for Haslingden, chalking up a terrific 6-38.

There has been a flurry of activity on the cricket front with Burnley signing West Indian paid man Kerry Jeremy, Haslingden have snapped up Australian Andrew MacDonald and Ramsbottom have signed Indian Test star Murali Kartik.

Enfield have already got South African Alviro Petersen while Church have signed Sri Lankan Ruvin Peiris. Accrington are close to signing their paid man.

Meanwhile, Ribblesdale League side Oswaldtwistle Immanuel have signed Indian pro Raja Ali. He is a 28-year-old batsman.

"Out batting has let us down over the last few years so this season we want to make sure we get a total to bowl at," said captain Gerard Metcalf.