RAMSBOTTOM have signed 30-year-old Aussie Jason Arnberger to replace batsman Michael Clarke, who will be unavailable due to expected calls from state and country.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club have also shown an interest in signing the New South Wales star, who broke the Lancashire League batting record last season with 200 not out against Enfield.

Arnberger comes with a reputation as a prolific run-getter for his state side Victoria where he has opened the batting for the past five seasons.

He has hit more than 4,000 first class runs since making his debut in 1994.

Ramsbottom are also set to lose pace bowler Lee Daggett, who is studying at Durham University and has also taken up an offer to play for Tonge in the Bolton League.

Former Ramsbottom player Mark Dentith is to rejoin the club after a spell with neighbours Walshaw if he can throw off a troublesome shoulder injury.

Pasan Wanansinghe has moved the short distance from Unsworth to RADCLIFFE to play his cricket next season.

The Sri Lankan all-rounder has signed up for the Racecoursemen as they go all out to lift the Central Lancashire League title in 2003.

The Unsworth Street club's move for 31-year-old Wanasinghe was prompted by Steve Dearden's announcement that he was quitting as paid man.

Dearden, who has had five years with the club, suffered a shoulder injury 12 months ago which hampered his bowling and has now prompted him to retire, though Radcliffe officials are hoping he will reconsider and play for them as an amateur batsman next season.

Wanansinghe was a prolific run-getter and wicket-taker with lowly Unsworth and now it will be interesting to see how he handles the step-up into a stronger team.

Radcliffe officials are confident about the Sri Lankan's ability. "He is one of those players who will always get you 65 wickets and 1000 runs a season," said deputy chairman and cricket chairman, Dave Halliwell.

Wanansinghe has backed up that confidence with some sterling displays back home in Sri Lanka during the winter months and only last week hit 65 and collected five wickets.

He is due back in Lancashire in the middle of next month and is expected to take up residence again in Walshaw.

The CLL season kicks off on Sunday April 27 when Radcliffe travel to Royton. The club are trying to arrange a couple of friendly matches prior to that, one of them being the annual cup match against Little Lever, which they hope to stage on Saturday April 26, 24 hours before the CLL campaign gets under way.

They have a new chairman in Alan Mills, will continue to play at their present home for the next two seasons at least as plans to move to a new ground await long term decisions by the local council.

UNSWORTH Cricket Club have signed up 25-year-old South African spin bowler Robert MacQueen as their professional for the 2003 Central Lancashire League season.

MacQueen, who has played at Under-19 level for his country, hails from Durban and is a regualr player with Natal, having played alongside such greats as Malcolm Marshall and Jonty Rhodes.

His ability with the ball should provide for some interesting games on the Pole Lane wicket.

Having a first class spinner in the side should enable Unsworth to escape any slow over rate fines from the league this season and MacQueen's drive and enthusiasm for the game will no doubt provide added impetus to the team.

"The club believes that Robbie will make an instant impact, given the size of the Pole Lane ground," said coach John Phair.

"We also believe that his enthusiasm for the game will help to provide a fresh impetus and that he will inspire the senior team members.

"This season should see some of the more seasoned Junior members making the odd appearance in the first team ranks and having a young, enthusiastic pro to guide them will, hopefully, see us moving up the table and getting their hands on some silverware in the next year or two," added Phair.

MacQueen holds a South African Board Level III coaching certificate and his experience, combined with the Unsworth CC coaching team of Phair (ECB Level II) and Les Doyle (ECB Level I), aided by the three new coaches currently in training, will help to develop the junior teams.

ELTON have signed up former Lancashire spin bowler Dexter Fitton as their professional for the new Bolton Association season.

Fitton, aged 37, scored 872 runs and took 82 wickets in a total of 52 first class matches for Lancashire between 1987 and 1992.

A native of Littleborough, he began his amateur career with Rochdale and was the youngest player to achieve the double of 500 runs and 50 wickets in a season.

He has been professional with a number of clubs including Stockport, Radcliffe, Littleborough, Milnrow and, most recently, Clitheroe in the Ribblesdale League.

STAND look set to appoint Martin Hegg as professional once again while GREENMOUNT are to welcome back Indian all-rounder Robin Morris for a second season and Mark Stringer is all set for a second spell at WOODBANK.

PRESTWICH will have Ramsbottom-based Craig Duxbury as their paid man for a third year.