DARWEN will be getting two professionals for the price of one when the new cricket season gets under way.

Keith Semple, who has been the paid man at Birch Hall since 1999, no longer has a work permit and will continue as an amateur at the club.

This means the West Indian can be joined by new pro Atif Ashraf, a prolific Northern League batsman.

The Pakistani, who also bowls off spin, has been on the Leyland Motors payroll for the past two years and broke their batting record in 2004.

He fell just short of another 1,000-run season last year but still averaged 55 and he has made nine centuries in two years.

Darwen chairman Peter Lamster said: "He is probably the best batter in the Northern League and we are extremely pleased to have him."