The most competitive division in this year's Hunters Estate Agent York And District Senior Cricket League may be division two where Goole Town, Bridlington and newly promoted Hornsea and Malton & Old Malton look set to slug it out.

In addition, new entrants Studley Royal are confident of success after their switch from the Nidderdale League, while Stamford Bridge, bolstered by the recruitement of Australian Stuart Boyle from Osbaldwick, will be looking for a quick change of fortune.

As in other divisions, the performance of the overseas players may be the decisive factor and there are some impressive CVs on parade.

Leading the way is Bridlington's Hafiz Khalid, who is an explosive right-hand batsman and wicket-keeper who also bowls medium pace.

He plays his first class cricket with Gujranwala and has played for Pakistan 'A'.

He holds the record for the fastest 50 in one-day cricket in Pakistan, having smashed his way to the mark off just 12 deliveries.

There will also be a first class player at Goole where Indian Amit Uniyal will be showing his talents as a left-hand batsman and left-arm medium pacer.

The Punjabi made his first-class debut in December 2001.

Hornsea have recruited South African Doug Griebenouw, from Border State Acadamy, to replace Mike Johnstone, while Malton & Old Malton look to Australian Ben Nicholson to help them make a mark in the higher division. There is a 'B' grade Aussie at Studley Royal in all-rounder Troy Proctor.

Clifton Alliance II may struggle in this division as they cannot call on the services of an overseas player due to the league rule which only allows one non-English qualified player per club. Bubwith are another club to back British but Castleford and Tadcaster Magnet may also struggle despite their overseas strengthening.

Sewerby will be playing their first season in the league and may take the division three honours following their switch from the Scarborough Beckett League. They will welcome Naseer Khan, who is vice-captain of Rest of Balucistan to their ranks.

He is a right-hand batsman and off-spinner, who has best first-class figures of 5 for 104 and a top score of 85 under his belt. Heslington will be driving for promotion headed by medium paced Aussie Rian Elliott, while Hovingham and New Earswick will also have promotion hopes. Sean Marshall has stood down at the helm of Rowntrees and new skipper Paul Horner will be hoping his unchanged squad can bounce back after being relegated last year.

Two of the sides relegated to division four last year are looking to the southern hemisphere in a bid to reverse their fortunes.

Australian Chris Hill will be at Bolton Percy, while 18-year-old South African Darnie Oosthuizen will be lining up at Selby. Huby and Huntington will both be intent on bucking the trend by succeeding without looking beyond home shores.

Malton & Old Malton and Carlton Towers are the likely front runners in division five, while Stamford Bridge's bid to become the first winners of the new division six may receive its biggest threat from new entrants Londesbrough Park.

Updated: 12:23 Monday, April 22, 2002