Burnley CC skipper Dan Pickup pleased to have pro Ockert Erasmus on board

The title-holders beat Walsden to top spot in Division One in 2019 when finishing with five wins on the bounce to leapfrog their rivals.

The 16-time winners, who are second only to Nelson when tallying championship wins, clocked up 186 points in the top flight that term.

“There’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel now so it’s looking more promising,” said Pickup. “We’re definitely ready for a proper season.

“I think we’re in a good place this year, but it’s going to be a tough campaign to predict because it’s hard to say how everyone will shape up.

“We’ve got a good side so the ambition this year will be similar to most others, to collect some silverware.

“It’s not an easy thing to do, but we’ll try to be as competitive as we can on all fronts.”

Erasmus, who hit 550 runs for Lowerhouse that season in addition to taking 34 wickets, used the President’s Cup campaign as an opportunity to bed in at Turf Moor.

The South African all-rounder fired 144 runs in four outings in Group 1 and added eight wickets, which included 6-4 off 5.4 overs against Middleton at Towncroft.

The 33-year-old, who has also played for East Lancs and Accrington, settled in well alongside fellow newcomer Fergus Bailey [Whalley] and the returning Tom Lawson

Pickup, who will lead his side out against Rochdale at Redbrook on April 18th, said: “Last season gave us an opportunity to bed everyone in without the pressures of league cricket.

“It gave the pro the opportunity to come in, meet everyone, play alongside them and find out what we’re all about.”

“He’s a top player and as soon as we heard that he was available we were desperate to snap him up.”