CHORLEY Cricket Club captain James Fazackerley believes the future is bright for his team despite Saturday's home defeat against Netherfield.

A period of transition has seen many of the team's experienced players retire in recent years and the team finished a disappointing sixth in the Northern Premier League last season.

But Fazackerley is upbeat now that club professional Stephen John has arrived from Pakistan after sorting out his visa problems - a problem that has also Preston and Leyland Motors.

He said: "We were a bit hamstrung on Saturday without Stephen but now he has arrived I am sure we will improve.

"Our batting is actually better than last year. The bowling is a bit of a problem but Stephen will take a lot of wickets for us.

"I really believe we have a good chance of doing better than last year."

Fazackerley is optimistic after the emergence of several youngsters including 17-year-old sensation Tom Smith.

Smith scored 139 not out on Saturday and the England U19 international is believed to be the youngest person to score a century in the league's history.

Fazackerley said: "We have got a lot of players coming through.

"Apart from Tomthere is his younger brother Billy, a left-arm medium bowler, who is just 15.

"We have also got the likes of Carl Dixon and leg spinner Gauaru Dharl who are both young bowlers with great potential.

"It is now up to the experienced players like myself and Nigel Heaton to guide them and make sure their talent does not go to waste."