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LANCASHIRE County League champions Prestwich embark soon on the defence of their title.

But they must do so without the talismanic presence of Craig Duxbury who has served as their professional for the last nine years, during which time they have won two league titles and three Walkden Cups.

Having taken the decision to step down as professional and move elsewhere, it left the Heys Road club with an unfamilar void to fill.

Sri Lankan Viraj Perera has been signed up and is expected to make his debut this Sunday when Prestwich play away at Great Harwood in the first round of the Lancashire Cup.

He harbours a reputation as a hard-hitting batsman who also bowls off-spin.

The Lancashire County League season gets under way on April 26 when the titleholders face a tough away trip to Flowery Field, who have accrued some useful re-inforcements during the winter and could be one of the realistic challengers.

As well as losing the services of Duxbury, pace bowler Andy Taylor has left to join Monton & Weaste.

First team captain Steven Lorenzini said: "There will be no chance to rest on our laurels, and the shape of the side has changed with Duxbury and Taylor not part of the side. The biggest challenge we will have is to reshape our bowling attack. Craig and Andy are big losses but we still have the tools to have a formidable attack.

There's no doubt in my eyes that our bowling was pivotal to our success last year and we must cause as many problems for our opponents again, albeit in different ways.

"We know everybody will be wanting to beat us but we've been working even harder this winter than last and I believe we'll be competing for honours again, starting hopefully with a Lancashire Cup run."

Team v Great Harwood: Steve Lorenzini, Chris Humphreys, Steve Orrell, Mike Hudson, Phil Kyle, Ian Walker, Pete Walters, Oliver Holt, Chris Thomas, John Kerambrum, Viraj Perera.

11:09am Thursday 17th April 2008

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