GREAT HARWOOD cricket club have secured 22-year-old Australian Andrew Crook as their new professional.

The Jennings Ribblesdale League club are hoping the right-arm off-break spinner, who plays for South Australia, will help them regain the form that won them the Ramsbottom Cup two years ago and has seen them pushing for the league title in recent seasons.

Crook replaces Farhan Adil, who had been disappointing last year, said chairman Terry Case.

He said: "He did not perform as well as he could, which contributed to the team's poor showing."

At the club's AGM, President Stephen Pilling praised the club's members who raised £4,500 towards the £7,000 cost of the new drainage system at the ground.

Pilling said a £1,500 grant had been received from the council and the rest had been met by the club 'without crippling the finances'.

The club have disbanded their third XI side because of a lack of players. They will now play Sunday friendlies instead, when any club member can take part.