ATHERTON Cricket Club have signed former West Indian international Brenton Parchment as their professional for next season.
The 33-year-old all-rounder has an impressive pedigree in his home country and in Bolton cricket.
He was captain of the West Indies Under-19s and played two Test matches, seven one-day internationals and 52 first-class matches.
He also made a big impression locally as professional at Farnworth in the Bolton League for three seasons between 2005 and 2008, scoring 1500 runs in his first season and winning the professionals' prize.
He helped them win the league and Hamer Cup and in recognition of his contribution the Lavender Road club named their games room after him.
In 2010 he was professional for Blackrod in the Bolton Association and broke the club's highest score record on his debut with 184 not out.
His recruitment is part of Atherton's ambitious plans which include attempts to bring in more quality recruits ahead of their first season in the expanded Bolton League.
They are also looking to recruit more amateur players and are inviting potential new signings to contact the club while also introducing a new third team who will play in the West Lancashire League for the first time.
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Atherton are probably best equipped to do well of the nine former Bolton Association clubs going over to the League.
But they are not setting their sights too high with their main ambition being to finish high enough in next season's 21-club single division to qualify for the top tier when the League goes to two divisions the following year.
