NEWTON Cricket Club have been boosted ahead of the start of the new season with the news that Indian Test batsman Shiv Sundar Das will play for the club for a third consecutive year.

Das, who has a Test average of just under 35 having played 23 matches for his country between 2000 and 2002, set the ECB Liverpool and District Cricket League alight with his performances in the last two seasons, and scored five centuries in 2004.

The recapture of the league's record run scorer should aid Newton's bid to win the first division title and gain promotion to the Premier Division when the new season begins with a trip to Ainsdale on Saturday.

Captain Ian Walkden will lead the team once again, while a bowling attack spearheaded by Aaron Scott and paceman Ikram Malik will be supported by a batting line-up incorporating Danny Barlow, Ian Lyon, Steven Appleton and Mark Fearnley.

The second team, who are captained this year by Anthony Barlow, start by hosting their Ainsdale counterparts on the same day.

Outdoor training takes place at Newton's Crow Lane ground on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm.