RAWTENSTALL have signed Victoria batsman Matt Mott as their new professional.

Mott has spent two seasons in the Lancashire League with Church in 1996 and Lowerhouse in 1998.

For Church he finished sixth in the league's batting averages with 1,097 runs at an average of 57.74.

He also took 43 wickets at an average of 23.33 before returning home to take up a coaching position with the Queensland State Cricket Association.

At Lowerhouse he scored 785 runs at an average of 43.61, taking 34 wickets.

The left-handed batsman was due to return to Lowerhouse last season, after a move from Queensland to Victoria, but had to pull out of the agreement.

Mott was recommended by last season's South African sub-professional Billy Stelling, who was an initial target for Rawtenstall along with former pro Lloyd Ferreira.

Skipper Keith Roscoe said: "Matthew is obviously no mug if he is batting number three for a Sheffield Shield side.

"It looks like there are going to be some good professionals in the league next season, but we hope he will be the best of the lot."

In his Sheffield Shield career, Mott has scored 1,625 runs in 31 matches at an average of 31.25 with a highest score of 150.

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