LOWERHOUSE will have an instant yardstick as to where they are heading this season as they take on reigning champions East Lancs at home tomorrow.

Lowerhouse will be looking for their three new signings to bed in quickly at Liverpool Road.

Vishal Tripathi, the 16-year-old son of former player Pankaj, will have the unenviable task of opening the batting in his first Lancashire League game, while fellow Lancashire 2nd XI player Chris Benbow makes his league debut.

Former Nelson bowler Saeed Riaz will look to fill the void left by Qasim Ali and Jonny Russell.

Lowerhouse secretary Stan Heaton said: "It's a formidable fixture to start the season because East Lancs are always well organised and always sign good professionals, but if you're going to play the champions, perhaps it's better to play them first."

Bacup professional Chris Simpson makes his Lancashire League debut when Burnley visit Lanehead.

The Queenslander's only taste of cricket in this hemisphere was in Forfarshire in Scotland four years ago, but the club is expecting big things from the all-rounder.

Bacup - bidding for their fourth title in five years - will be led by record-breaking bowler David Ormerod.

Burnley start the season without the bowling services of Jonathan Clare.

The Lancashire Academy star can bat, but has been advised not to bowl in the opening three games of the season to aid his recuperation from a back injury.

Burnley, who are at full strength for the trip to Lanehead, will look to West Indin paceman Kerry Jeremy to fill the void left by Clare.

Ramsbottom have drafted in Jimmy Adams as their sub pro for the visit to Rishton.

The former West Indies Test star will replace Murali Kartik on the opening day as he is away with the Indian squad.

Ramsbottom, who will welcome the 27-year-old Indian leg spinner next week, will be looking to get off to a winning start at last year's wooden spoon winners.

Andrew McDonald is finally set for his Lancashire League debut for Haslingden.

The former Australian Under 19 international, who was originally scheduled to join for 2003, will lead the bowling attack in the home game with Enfield.

As he starts his second year in charge, captain Paul Blackledge will be hoping youngsters Lewis Macintosh and wicketkeeper John Simpson will mix in well with the experience of Stuart Catterall, Mike Ingham and Steve Dearden.

Church expect fireworks to fly when Sri Lankan left-hander Ruvin Peiris faces West Indian paceman Cameron Cuffy and Nelson at Seedhill.

Peiris has over 8,000 runs to his name during seven seasons of cricket in this country.

Eight wins in their final nine games of last season means Church will suffer no crisis of confidence away to a Nelson side strongly favoured to compete for the title.

Colne will be without key bowler Matthew Constable for the trip to Accrington.

The medium pace bowler is suffering from a back injury so Gareth Ormerod steps up from the Second XI.

Meanwhile, captain Steve Woods believes professional Mark Cleary will be one of the quickest bowlers in the league.

"Mark is very laid back but he is definitely going to be one of the quickest bowlers around. He's been clocked at 93mph and he's been getting close to that in the nets."

Todmorden face Worlsey Cup winners Rawtenstall at Centre Vale hoping their rivals will still be recovering from today's Colne Trophy action.

Professional Gyan Pandey is the main stay of Tod's hopes while Rawtenstall have been forced into changes with Simon Connor and Paul Collis in place Phil Devito and Rizwan Shafiq.