Cricket: Holy Cross sign Aussie all-rounder

Holy CROSS cricket club have recruited an Australian all-rounder, Patrick Lynch, as they prepare to help launch the new East of Scotland division one campaign at home to Murrayfield/DAFS on Saturday.

The top league gets underway one week ahead of the rest of the divisions to allow for a possible entry to end-of-season play offs into the revamped national competition.

Holy Cross are hoping to improve last year's mid-table position - they dropped from fourth to seventh - but their potential can be gauged from the fact they were the only team to defeat eventual Division One champions, Watsonians, both home and away.

Euan Smith, preparing for a third season as skipper, says that prolific wicket-taker Shannon Bonfield is expected to be more regularly available which will be a big boost and adds: "We didn't perform to our usual standards in cup competitions last year so that will also be a priority."

Watsonian 2nds have added Borderer Alec Sim, who represented East Academy out of the Manderston club in 2010.

Euan Robertson captains the side who open at home to Fauldhouse.