East Bierley are hoping that the arrival of Pakistan all-rounder Rao Anjum will provide them with a welcome boost.

Anjum, 31, who has played in one Test and 60 one-day internationals, is no stranger to the JCT600 Bradford League scene.

He spent two highly-successful seasons with Spen Victoria in 2002 and 2003.

Anjum should have made his debut last Saturday but the home match with Undercliffe was rained off, so he will be hoping for better luck at Hanging Heaton on Saturday.

Skipper Lee Goddard said: “Rao is a great athlete. He bats, he bowls and he’s a great fielder. We are delighted to add him to our team.

“It means we now have great depth to our batting and our bowling.”

Goddard, who admits to being disappointed to see Woodlands so far ahead in the title race, wants his team to emulate the champions.

“Woodlands have set the bar high this year and it is up to teams like us to try and match their standards.

“They have a huge lead but we still have to play them twice and if we can win those matches we have a chance,” he said.

Hanging Heaton, who will play Nottinghamshire Premier League leaders Cuckney on June 24 in the regional final of the Kingfisher Cup – the national clubs' knockout competition – present a tricky test.

“They have a good side on paper,” said Goddard. “They have shown what they can do in the Kingfisher Cup.

“Personally, I am delighted to see a Bradford League club doing so well in a national competition and showing how good our league is.

“I would like to see more clubs doing that. There are lots of good players in our league.”

Saturday's clash between Woodlands and Pudsey Congs will have an unusual feel to it. While Woodlands head the table, Congs are second from bottom and are already 79 points behind their old rivals.

Undercliffe, who slipped to the bottom when a ten-point penalty for playing an ineligible player was confirmed, will be hoping for a boost at home to third-placed Bradford & Bingley.

Pudsey St Lawrence, who are at home to Lightcliffe, have lost their young opening bowler Oliver Ashford.

He has been snapped up by Durham and will be playing his club cricket in the north east.

Cleckheaton will be hoping for a fourth successive win when they entertain Manningham Mills, while Farsley will be looking to build on their fine win over Bradford & Bingley against a Saltaire side that were unlucky to lose to Woodlands in a close encounter last week.