LANCASTER'S brand new professional cricketer, Raj Hans, is reportedly raring to go for the new season - despite last Saturday's opening friendly against Furness being cancelled. As well as a new professional Lancaster have a new captain for the new campaign. Long serving opening batsman and former professional David Heywood will be the new man in charge of the side.

Raj Hans actually signed forms at the very end of last season. He is a 33-year-old Pakistani who has a wealth of experience in the North Lancashire Cricket League where he played at Askam and Penrith.

His statistics over the eleven years he played in that league are very impressive. He scored 13241 runs at an average of more than 58 runs per inning; hitting 33 centuries and 96 half-centuries; with a top score of 142 not out. He is also a more than useful off spin bowler capturing more than 600 wickets at 17 runs per wicket. It is, therefore, hoped he will continue this prolific form at a higher level of club cricket and can, perhaps, bring some long awaited silverware to the Lune Road shelves.

This weekend Lancaster have two home friendlies Church/Owaldtwistle on Saturday and Kearsley on Sunday.

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