FARNWORTH have signed Sri Lanka ex-Test player Dinuka Hettiarachchi as their professional for next season.

The 39-year-old comes with a big reputation both in his home country and in the North West where he played for St Anne's in the Northern League for four years.

He has played the last two years in Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

Farnworth, who have already signed Imran Mirza from Heaton, Iain McLellan from Tonge and Jack Horrocks from Kearsley, needed a spinner to replace Curtis Anderton who has returned to Little Lever after one season away.

Hettiarachchi is expected to be a big addition to Farnworth's armoury as they look to challenge for the title in the new 21-team Bolton League next year.

They are going for a squad blending quality with team spirit and have been pleased with the characters of the players they have brought in as well as their quality.

The new pro has taken nearly 900 first class wickets in his career and in his one Test match appearance took the wickets of Nasser Hussain and Marcus Trescothick against England in Sri Lanka in 1991.

Meanwhile, Little Lever have confirmed the signing of Hussain Talat as their new professional for next season.

The left-hand bat and right arm medium fast bowler will be 19 when the season comes around and it will be the first time he has played league cricket outside Pakistan where he has played 15 first-class matches.

Bolton League confirmed transfers so far:

To Atherton: Brenton Parchment as overseas player.

To Bradshaw: Shahzaib Ahmed as professional; Chris Evans from Greenmount; Atiq-uz-Zaman from Bramhall as player/coach.

To Darcy Lever: Cameron Murray.

To Horwich: Brett Pelser from Rawtenstall as professional; Liam Bones from Edenfield, Phil Ingram from Greenmount.

To Farnworth: Dinuka Hettiarachchi as professional; Imran Mirza from Heaton, Iain McLellan from Tonge; Jack Horrocks from Kearsley.

To Farnworth Social Circle: Rick Hamblett from Kearsley.

To Kearsley: Chris Baxendale from Farnworth.

To Little Lever: Hussain Talat as professional; Curtis Anderton from Farnworth.

Meanwhile, ex-Bolton League and Bolton Association clubs were given their fixtures for next season in the new Greater Manchester Cricket League.

The league begins on April 16 and the opening-day fixtures will see Egerton and Edgworth travel to Bury and Clifton, respectively, in the Premier League and Astley and Tyldesley host strong promotion favourites Bamford Fieldhouse in Division One.

Other local fixtures see Deane and Derby travel to Irlam in Division Three and a local derby in Division Five West with Bolton Indians hosting Bolton.