ANDREW McDonald will get a tough early test of his bowling credentials at Alexandra Meadows tomorrow.

The Australian professional and his new HASLINGDEN team-mates go to East Lancs for a meeting of last year's top two.

Cricket chairman Stuart Taylor said: "It's not the be all and end all at this stage but it will be a tough game for both sides.

"East Lancs won it last year and now they have Mark Lomas and David Pearson back so they have a very strong batting line-up.

"They are going to be difficult to bowl out, that's for certain."

West Indian paceman Franklin Rose will step in as substitute professional for EAST LANCS, who are still awaiting the arrival of South African all-rounder Quinton Friend.

Paul Kelly, the East Lancs captain, was happy with the way his side batted in last week's rain-affected Colne Trophy clash with Rawtenstall but he's looking for more from his bowling attack.

"I thought we batted well and there was a good stand between Mark Lomas and the stand-in professional but bowling-wise there's definitely room for improvement," said Kelly.

ENFIELD captain Mas Ahmed will be hoping to have a full strength side to choose from when they entertain Lowerhouse tomorrow.

The Dill Hall Lane side was depleted for today's trip to Bacup due to a number of players having football commitments.

But Ahmed expects his first team regulars will be back in action when they entertain Lowerhouse tomorrow.

And he is hoping his side will benefit from their first outdoor nets practice of the year.

"It's the first time we've had our whites on because all our friendlies were rained off as well as last week's game," he said.

Enfield have acquired the services of sub-professional Pierre Joubert for tomorrow's game.

LOWERHOUSE know all about Joubert from his Burnley days, but secretary Stan Heaton insists they are only focused on their own game.

He said: "Enfield have a good side but you can't worry about the opposition. If we do all our things right, then we've got a chance."

Only two places separated the sides last season.

ACCRINGTON might have a different professional, but they are hoping new paid man Tama Canning proves to be another thorn in Burnley's side tomorrow.

Last season, South African Andre Seymore hit 129 not out to see off the Turf Moor outfit, and with Canning looking in impressive form in last week's win over Colne, captain Matt Wilson is optimistic of another win.

"We did well against them last year," he said.

"They have quite a young side who have been together for a couple of years now.

"They're a little bit older than our youngsters so hopefully it will be a good test for them."

BURNLEY fans will get their first glimpse of new professional Kerry Jeremy

The 24-year-old fast bowler has played six one-day internationals for the West Indies.

RAWTENSTALL professional, Andrew Payne, goes to head-to-head with Nelson's West Indian fast bowler, Cameron Cuffy, in what promises to be fascinating duel.

Big-hitting Payne hit a mighty 173 against Nelson in the corresponding fixture last season which earned him the Jack Downes Trophy for the club's highest score of the season.

Payne, the club's first home grown pro since Alan Worswick in 1979, has already got runs on the board after a well-constructed 46 against East Lancs in last week's Colne Cup.

NELSON name an unchanged side after their false start due to the weather last weekend.

BACUP travel to Church with much trepidation.

"They are one of the teams we never like playing," admitted manager Alick Ormerod. "You never know what you're going to get against them."

The game could be a battle of the bowlers, with Bacup's David Ormerod passing the 700 wicket mark during last season and Church's Nick Westwell chasing that same milestone.

CHURCH: professional Ruven Peiris makes his home debut for the Westenders, and he'll be looking to add to the 8,000 runs he's amassed over the past seven seasons.

COLNE will be taking nothing for granted when they take on Rishton in their first home game of the campaign.

Rishton finished bottom of the table last season but have been strengthened by the signing of New Zealand professional James Franklin.

The Kiwi hit an unbeaten 97 as sub pro for East Lancs in the Colne Cup last weekend and chairman Trevor Lonsdale is wary.

He said: "I haven't seen him play but I've heard he is a bit handy with the bat. His performance in the Colne Cup suggests he is in form so we will have to be careful."

RISHTON captain Jonathon Dobson was also delighted to see Franklin make such an impressive start, albeit for another club.

"James's attitude has been brilliant so far and we are looking for big things off him this season," said Dobson.

"He got 97 last week and he had to borrow half of his gear off me and a bat from Peter Sleep."

RAMSBOTTOM have drafted in their second sub pro of the weekend for tomorrow's game at home to TODMORDEN.

Mahendra Nagamootou, the West Indian left hand batsman, will step in as the club still await the arrival of Indian spinner Murali Kartik.

There are two changes in the Todmorden team with batsman Richard Baigent, who has returned to Centre Vale after a spell with Huddersfield League side Elland, and young bowler Oliver Wood being replaced by Simon Barker and Ilyas Hussain.

Todmorden continue to search for additions to their bowling attack but club chairman Ian Highley said: "We have been trying to bring in a player but he doesn't seem likely to join us.

"We will just have to keep fishing."