EAST Lancashire have re-signed their popular South African professional Ockert Erasmus for next season – and skipper Mark Bolton says he couldn’t be happier at the news.

The 23-year-old, who plays for Boland back home, has impressed at Alexandra Meadows and made 568 runs and taken 68 wickets in his first season in the UK.

He also starred on the opening day of the Ribblesdale League season when he hit a 50 and then claimed 9-22 to help Salesbury beat Clitheroe.

“It’s tremendous for us,” said Bolton. “If all goes to plan in the last few games then Ockie will finish with more than 600 runs and 70-odd wickets – and that is a decent return for a young lad who is in his first season over here.

“We would have settled for that at the start of the season and he has fitted in well at the club, is popular with everyone here and is certainly looking the part.”

Erasmus didn’t get the chance to add to his tally on Saturday as East Lancs’ game with Bacup was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch but he led his men to Sunday’s win at Colne almost single-handedly.

He made a fine 67 not out before claiming six wickets as East Lancs bowled Colne out in a tense finish.

“He showed a great talent non Sunday,” added Bolton. “To make 60-odd on a tough track at Colne was impressive and then he bowled really well.

“And he will come back knowing what to expect next season. To me he has become a better bowler as this season has gone on and he really does have some runs in him.”

The availability of Erasmus for the full season is also a bonus for East Lancashire and for Bolton, who has been forced to hunt around for substitute professionals for much of the past three campaigns.

“It helps to have a settled team with a settled pro,” added Bolton.

It was always going to be a season of transition for East Lancs as they looked to replace run machine pro Brendan Nash but Bolton still wants more out of his men in the final fortnight of the season.

“If I said that I was happy with how this year had gone I would be lying,” admitted Bolton.

“We knew it was going to be a tall order to try and win the league but I expected a top five challenge and a run in the Worsley Cup or Twenty20.

“As it happens we did neither and that is a big disap-pointment.

“Yes, we have found a little bit of form in the last few weeks but it is too late for this season.

“We just want to finish strongly – and hopefully we can take this finish into next season.”