DARWEN have snapped up Australian Peter Skuse as professional for the 1996 Vaux Northern League campaign.

The 25-year-old Queenslander will arrive at Birch Hall in time to make his Darwen debut against Blackpool on the opening day of the campaign on April 20.

Skuse, an off-spinner and skipper of the Queensland second X1 team for the past two seasons, played in the Central Lancashire League with Radcliffe last season, clocking up 1,280 runs and taking 46 wickets.

Chairman Peter Lamster said: "It is a very exciting signing for us and we've worked hard to bring Peter Skuse to Darwen.

"Our regular off-spinner, Ian Critchley, has decided to join the Bolton League after serving us so well for a number of seasons, so Peter's arrival will help fill that big gap."

Darwen have drawn Blackpool at home in the opening stages of the Abbott Ale National Knockout Cup. The tie to be played at Birch Hall on April 21.

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