FRESHLY whitened boots, newly ironed flannels and thermal underwear at the ready. . . it can only mean it's the first weekend of the 2004 cricket season!

Six of our local sides get back to competitive business over the next two days with Walshaw, Elton, Brooksbottoms and Bury first to the wicket tomorrow.

In the Bolton Association, Walshaw will be hoping to hold onto the championship they regained on the last day of last season.

Personnel-wise they are much the same as they have been over the last very successful years.

Jonathan Fielding has been retained as professional for the sixth consecutive year, while Rob Faulkner has been re-appointed as club coach.

Anthony 'Bomber' Harris is captain for a second season, while the club welcome back big-hitting Bret Collins after a stint as professional with Association rivals Darcy Lever.

And by a quirk of the fixture computer, the Sycamore Road club begin the season with a trip to Collins' old club tomorrow.

Meanwhile, just down the road, rivals Elton have been on something of a recruitment drive over the winter.

They welcome back their former professional Darron Foy this season, after a few years in the Bolton League with Kearsley.

Experienced former Lancashire all-rounder Dexter Fitton keeps the paid man's role at Leigh Lane with Graham Bushell carrying on as skipper.

Although Mark Goddard is stepping down as coach he will continue to feature in the first team while his former role goes to another newcomer in the shape of former Radcliffe player Damien Keegan.

Elton entertain Adlington tomorrow.

Manchester Association rivals Bury and Brooksbottoms also get their campaigns up-and-running tomorrow, with the former involved in a local derby clash at Bolton in the Premier Division, and the latter entertaining Newton Heath at Summerseat.

Bury boast a new professional this season after luring their former player Nick Kennedy away from Central Lancashire League outfit Radcliffe.

Club stalwart Mike Brawn is new first team captain and the Sports Club side will be looking towards their exceptional crop of promising young players to come up with the goods this summer.

Meanwhile, in the First Division, Brooksbottoms will be hoping to get themselves back into the top flight with their local rivals.

Last season's professional Sachin Upadhye hasn't been retained while Mike Churchill is unlikely to be available this season.

The loss of those top order batsmen will involve a reshuffle for skipper Richard Ernill but the side will be strengthened by the inclusion of former Bury man Trevor Morton and pace bowler Josh Pellowe an overseas recruit from Brisbane.

Edenfield also embark on their Ribblesdale League campaign on Saturday with Barnoldswick the visitors to Gincroft Lane.

Skipper Chris Hanson welcomes a new professional in the shape of Sydney-based slow left-hand bowler Adam Webb.

The 27-year-old Aussie, also a useful high order batsman, isn't the only newcomer with Liam Bones joining from near neighbours Baxenden.

The Lancashire League gets underway twenty-four hours later on Sunday with Ramsbottom making the trip to Rishton for their opening fixture.

It will be touch-and-go whether their new professional, Indian Test star Murali Kartik, will be in the country in time to take to the field at Blackburn Road.

With that in mind, cricket chairman Mike Everett has one or two sub-professionals on stand-by however he is sure the new acquisition will be a great asset to the club.

"Kartik has played both Test and one day cricket for India and did well in the one day matches in the current series with Pakistan, in fact he played in all three games they won," said Everett.

"He bats number eight but will be useful and we're hoping he gets plenty of runs for us.

"He more than fills the void left by Mark Price (who has joined Bolton League Egerton) and I would expect him to take a lot of wickets."

The 27-year-old Indian is a slow left arm orthodox bowler and left hand bat who made his international debut in 1999-2000 against South Africa.

He has captured 250 wickets in first class cricket since making his debut for his club, Railways, in the Ranji Trophy seven years ago.

He also averages 18.4 with the bat from 87 games including nine 50s and a top score of 70.

On the amateur front Everett is hoping to have seamer Lee Daggett back at the club once he finishes University at the end of May and the talented 21-year-old would be a useful addition to captain Richard Hevingham's armoury.

"I'm sure there will be a number of clubs interested in Lee," added Everett.

"But we are hopeful we could have him from the end of May onwards.

"He has been in fine form recently and picked up eight wickets for Durham UCCE against the Durham county side."