DARWEN Cricket Club have signed 25-year-old batsman Yaseen Vallie as their professional for next season.

Vallie has recently represented Western Province and Cape Cobras in South Africa, and has also featured for the national Under-19 set-up.

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He averages 41 from 66 First Class matches, with a high score of 167, while also averaging 33 in 49 List A one-day matches.

Meanwhile, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel have recruited Melbourne-born Dan Sartori as their overseas amateur for 2015.

The 26-year-old is an opening batsman who has played for Richmond and Monash Tigers in Australia, and plays first grade level cricket in the Victorian Premier League. He also bowls leg spin.

Sartori has scored 4,632 runs in 215 matches Down Under, at an average of 26.17.

Elsewhere, White Coppice are appealing for more players amid fears that a shortage of numbers is undermining club cricket.

The new Palace Shield season starts on April 18 and a rule change in the 45-over format means one bowler is restricted to a maximum of 15 overs and others to no more than 12.

It means teams will have to use at least four bowlers in a match.

White Coppice 1st XI captain Tony Moore issued an open invite to players to join the club’s pre-season nets at Parklands High School in Chorley every Monday until March 23.