SALE Cricket Club are gearing up for their home opener against Oulton Park in the Vivio Cheshire County Cricket League on Saturday.

The Dane Road outfit narrowly missed out on promotion to the ECB Premier League last year and are looking to go one better this season.

Once again led by outstanding wicketkeeper Chris Canning, who hit 462 runs and took 28 dismissals last season, the club have strengthened their squad with Sale-born Brooke Guest joining the club for the summer from South Perth CC in Australia.

After emigrating down under aged six, Guest returns to his home-town club following a fine domestic season that saw him make his under-19 international debut.

All-rounder Luke McCoy has also joined from Widnes CC where he scored 735 runs last season and will be hoping to strike up a partnership with the division’s leading all-rounder Tyrone Lawrence – 623 runs and 57 wickets – who continues as vice-captain.

The bowling attack that includes wily leg spinner Rick Halkon (55 wickets) is further strengthened by the full-time returns of both Tharshan Thayalan (52 wickets in 2013) and Ben Watkin (27 wickets in 2014).

With leading batsman Dan Halkon expecting to play more regularly the 1st XI looks at its strongest for many years.

Captain Canning said: “We have strengthened in key areas and I’m confident the boys can go one better.

"Brooke is a top-level batsman and will add stability at the top of the order; and Luke is a proven match winner in this league.

"Having been top of the league for the majority of last season, we were naturally disappointed to miss out on promotion. "We didn’t quite get the rub of the green in the last four games but are stronger as a unit this year and the boys are more determined than ever to reach the Premier League.”