RISHTON today pulled off another spectacular swoop by signing top Australian pace bowler Jason Gillespie as professional for next season.

And chairman Rod Simpson urged other Lancashire League clubs to follow suit and bring back the big names.

Rishton's last major signing was Allan Donald, who cost them £20,000-plus in 1996, and they went on to win the title for the second successive season.

They are believed to have paid a fee not far short of that for Gillespie, who is currently recovering from a broken leg suffered in a Test match collision with Steve Waugh.

But the player's agent has stressed that the South Australian - nicknamed "Dizzy" - will be back at peak fitness early in the New Year and ready to hand out some "serious pain" next summer.

Mr Simpson feels there is a need for more ambition and enterprise to help lift league cricket out of a rut.

He said: "We believe the Lancashire Lancashire League is the premier league in the country and needs this kind of signing to maintain that status.

"From a club point of view we hope it will stimulate interest among spectators and help to bring members back to the club, as well as assist us in our team rebuilding.

"As the signing of Alan Donald did in 1996, we will be looking for Jason's arrival to be a platform for success on the playing side. "We believe we need to speculate to accumulate and it isn't often you get the opportunity to sign an opening bowler from the best team in the world."

As well as being one of the world's most feared quick bowlers, Gillespie, 24, has also shown he is no mug with the bat.

And his agent Kym Richardson has re-assured Rishton about the player's fitness.

"Jason has been advised he will be fully mobile and bowling at the highest level by the end of January, mid-February 2000," he said.

"His leg was pinned without complications, is healing tremendously and he is already doing pool work.

"If anybody wants to get back even better than what he was before, it's Jason.

"He wishes to advise Rishton he will be on the plane and causing some serious pain to opposition league cricket clubs for the ultimate purpose of success for Rishton."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.