New Zealander Craig McMillan is expected to be with the club from the first ball to the last, having had his stay at Seedhill last season disrupted by injury and international call-ups.

Last season, the club finished a hugely-disappointing 12, after being forced to utilise a number of substitutes, without much success, with McMillan's arrival delayed by New Zealand reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup, and a hip injury in the Kiwis' exit against Sri Lanka.

South African batsman Henry Davids filled the void between May and June, after winning only one of their first five games – not helped by meagre contributions with the bat from sub-professionals.

When McMillan did arrive, he had to leave in August after being selected as part of the 15-man Kiwi squad for the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup.

He featured in only half of Nelson's games, as the club employed a staggering 10 replacements.

However, despite that, the 31-year-old managed 269 runs at an average of 34.1, as well as 21 wickets at 18.1.

McMillan retired from first class cricket in October after finishing as New Zealand's leading run-scorer at the Twenty20 World Cup with 163 runs at an average of 40.75, and has been playing in the Indian Cricket League, as captain of Kolkata Tigers.

Captain Michael Bradley said to lancashireleague.com: "We are looking for a major improvement on last year.

"Having Macca for a full season will make a big difference both on and off the field, and the younger players have another year's experience under their belts, so we will be capable of beating anyone on our day.

"Few will be tipping us for silverware, but as Rishton showed last year, if you get a run going and the amateurs support the pro, anything is possible."

Nelson have recruited the younger of the Lemon brothers from Colne, Sean, with Stuart moving to the Bradford League, although Richard Meade and Russell Bradley have linked up with Joe Scuderi at Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Billy Jamil has joined Burnley, and, at the end of last season, club stalwart Martin Heap announced his retirement after 18 seasons, claiming 348 wickets and scoring 755 runs.

Nelson start the season at Rishton on Sunday.