Duncombe Park's challenge for Hunters Estate Agent York And District Senior Cricket League division one honours will be boosted by the addition of Brian Leckenby.

They will be hoping Justin Lewis can at least match the efforts of fellow Zimbabweans Gary Brent and Travis Friend, who went on to play Test cricket after spells at Helmsley.

Newly promoted Hull Zingari will be keen to continue their ascent of the divisions and could be in contention. Their overseas man is Jacques Strydom.

Whitkirk will be looking to Jamaican Darren Grey to help them reclaim premier status but they may have lost the youthful Tom Glover, who won the Lol Morse Memorial trophy last season as the best player in the league's representative teams.

Ripon, also relegated last year, have signed Mark Barber from Adelaide but, in addition to losing Neil Jackson, have seen Richard Hawley move to Thirsk so they may have to wait for a return to the top flight.

Crayke, third in division one last year, are the highest-placed team to be without an overseas player and this may be a stumbling block in their promotion bid. Veteran Norman Pipes has returned from Stillington with Dave Allitt, who captained Stillington last year.

York II should be in with a shout, while Ankur Sondhi has returned to Driffield, who will also be looking to gain premier cricket on their splendid ground.

Readman Trophy winners Carlton Towers will mount a promotion bid hopeful that Kashif Khan can tip the scales their way.

Harrogate have also turned to Pakistan for Khalid Hussain and should be able to hold on to their newly-gained division one spot.

Sessay have opted for Aussie Steven Frare in their bid to improve on last season but fellow countryman Mark Maddocks may have to perform heroics to keep Stillington from the drop. He follows Collis King and Mohammed Hafeez, who made more than 1,300 runs and took 38 wickets last year.

In his absence, and that of Paul Mosey and Dave Allitt, Stillington's prospects look bleak and they may struggle alongside Dringhouses who are the only other side in the division to rely solely on home grown talent.

Updated: 12:23 Monday, April 22, 2002