RIBBLESDALE Wanderers have swooped to sign former Nelson batsman Joe Scuderi as their professional for next season.

Former Lancashire star Scuderi, 36, who won the Lancashire League senior batting award with 1135 runs at an average of 54 for Nelson last season, replaces South African Gerhard de Bruin who had a poor season.

The loss of Scuderi comes as a hammer blow to Nelson who have also lost Paul Garaghty from their batting line-up but Scuderi will still be heavily involved with the Seedhill club - running their Under-17s team and remaining on the main committee, junior committee and pro selection committee.

Scuderi, who was Nelson's professional in 2002-03 after a two-year stint as the paid man with Colne, is happy to be back among the paid ranks.

He said: "At this stage of my life it's probably my last chance to do it and I didn't want to get to 40 and wished I'd had another go at being a pro. I'm really pleased to get a crack at it again.

"Ribblesdale approached me about proing again and we had a good chat and decided they sounded like a good club to join.

"They under-achieved last season so I hope I can help them do a lot better next season."

And the Australian all-rounder said he couldn't wait to begin his new challenge in the Ribblesdale League.

He added: "Always in sport you need challenges and this is certainly a new challenge. It's a new league, new club and sometimes you just need a new challenge to get really motivated.

"I've played in the Ribblesdale League a couple of times as a sub-pro and I know it's a good standard. I'm not sure the wickets will be as good as in the Lancashire League and I don't know a lot about some of the clubs but I'm looking forward to it.

"The benefit about playing in the Ribblesdale League is that the games are shorter and they don't play as much cricket so it'll give me a bit more time to recover after games, especially as I'll be bowling again."

Elsewhere, Rishton are on the look out for a new pro after Kumar Dharmesena rejected a new contract with the Blackburn Road outfit opting instead to fight for a place in the Sri Lankan national team.

The club also have a new captain in former test star Peter Sleep who replaces Scott Greaves.