LANCASHIRE Cricket Club were checking out the eligibilty of Joe Scuderi today with a view to offering the South Australian a two-year playing contract, writes ANDY NEILD.

The Old Trafford club have contacted the Colne professional about the possibility of joining them next season.

But the move all hinges on whether or not Scuderi would qualify as a European Community national.

Lancashire have already signed Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan as their overseas player for the next two seasons.

But Scuderi may also qualify to play as well because of his Italian descendants.

"There's nothing I can really say on that at the moment," said Scuderi.

"I want to keep my cards fairly close to my chest.

"I can't confirm or deny anything."

The Italian international would be a welcome addition to the Lancashire staff after proving himself as one of the Lancashire League's most consitent professionals during the last decade.

He scored nearly 8,000 runs in six seasons at Nelson and is currently second in both the batting and bowling averages with Colne.

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