ACCRINGTON professional Tama Canning is looking forward to renewing old acquaintances when he comes up against Colne's Marcus North tomorrow.

The two toured Zimbabwe together for the Australian Academy two years ago.

"I haven't seen Marcus since then, so it will be a nice reunion. I can congratulate him as he's had a pretty good year for Western Australia. I'm looking forward to seeing him," laughed the all-rounder.

The 24-year-old has already settled into life at Accrington -- he's done a Sunday night tour of the town -- after stepping into Nathan Astle's shoes at the end of last season, when Nathan was called up for New Zealand.

Tama, at the time, was touring with New Zealand A and came in, taking around 20 wickets and scoring 120 runs in his six games, to help Accrington finish in ninth spot.

"Nathan told me what a great bunch of lads they were so it was great to have the opportunity to come back and take some responsibility," said the South Australia player, who has dual nationality and qualifies for Australia by birth -- he's played for the Academy -- and New Zealand through his parents and he has played for the Kiwi's A side.

"Nathan said his bowling had come on leaps and bounds when he was here so I'm hoping to work on my game.

"The Lancashire League is one of the best league's in England so now I'm just waiting for the season to start."

Accrington's opening fixture at last season's runners-up Ramsbottom fell victim to Sunday's weather but Tama didn't miss out on practice on the English wicket.

The 6' 5" player stepped in to the Ribblesdale League on Saturday to help out Read and showed what he can do with the bat making 119 before taking two wickets in Read's 93 run win over Blackburn Northern.

"It was great to have the chance to get some practise before I actually get going with Accrington," said Tama, who has also managed to try out Great Harwood Golf Club.

"I was just disappointed we couldn't play as it would have been nice to get the season underway."

But he's hoping the weather will hold off this weekend so the Thorneyholme Road side can get their season off to a winning start at Colne tomorrow before East Lancs visit Accrington on Sunday.

And, while aiming to impress his international selectors, Tama hasn't set himself any personal targets.

"I'd obviously love to get an international call-up and I stand more chance with New Zealand, but being here is more about Accrington than me," he explained.

"I'm just here to do my best for the team, there are no personal targets.

"My aim is for a top six finish, nothing else will do. We want to be up there."

TOMORROW'S GAMES: Burnley v Bacup, Church v Nelson, Colne v Accrington, East Lancs v Lowerhouse, Enfield v Haslingden, Ramsbottom v Rishton, Rawtenstall v Todmorden.