BILLY Stelling, who plays for Boland in South Africa's Currie Cup competition, will be East Lancashire's professional in the Marsden BS Lancashire League this summer.

The capture of the all-rounder, who was sub-professional at East Lancs twice last season, brings to an end a desperately-long search for the Blackburn club.

They initially agreed terms with an Australian but that protracted deal fell through for other domestic reasons.

And East Lancs vice-chairman Steve Walker admitted: "You could say we have made numerous inquiries and I have spent a fair bit of time on the telephone."

Stelling stood in for injured Alan Dawson twice in 1995.

A right-arm medium-fast bowler and right-hand bat he took one for 41 from 16 overs and scored 16 with the bat to help East Lancs beat Ramsbottom at Alexandra Meadows last August. The following day, he picked up four for 52 (17 overs) but was dismissed for a duck as the side lost at Enfield.

He played most of his cricket last summer in Hampshire, travelling north to help out when South African Dawson was injured.

But Stelling, who has a Dutch passport, also played for Holland in the NatWest Trophy.

"Unfortunately, that wasn't enough for him to qualify to play for them in the World Cup where the rules are different," added Mr Walker.

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