CRICKET ace Joe Scuderi has delivered a few shooters in his time and now the Lancashire star is planning to take in a delivery or two -- at the Shooters!

For 32-year-old Joe is the new tenant at the Shooters Arms, Nelson, the town where his cricketing prowess earned him cult status during six successful Lancashire League summers from 1991-1996.

But Aussie all-rounder Joe says the chance to have a go at the pub game arrived by pure chance: "I attended a benefit event for Ian Austin last summer and chatted to Ian's fund-raising chairman John Cotton, who is the tied trade manager at Thwaites Brewery.

"I asked if there were any openings, John said he would have a look around and a few months later here I am back in Nelson and very happy to be so!"

The Shooters already has a strong sporting connection in that Clarets legend Tommy Cummings was landlord for many years.

Joe is keen to point out that his new business venture will run alongside his cricketing commitments.

"Anyone who reads into this that I am planning without cricket could not be further off the mark if they tried.

"I simply wanted an interest away from cricket and this is just perfect. I still have the rest of this summer with Lancashire and hope to get my contract renewed while I still have a strong involvement with the Italian national cricket team."

Joe's day-to-day involvement with Lancashire will limit his appearances at the Shooters Arms so he has drafted in former Nelson CC steward Dave Coffey as his manager.

"Dave is well-known in the area and has just the right sort of experience to help me and I intend to show my face as often as possible."

Joe is planning a "welcome party" at the pub on Monday June 11th when many of his Lancashire CCC colleagues will be there.