WHEN Rishton pro Paul Adams gets used to the English weather the Transco Lancashire League had better watch out!

The South African 'Chinaman' bowler - his unique bowling style is set to draw the crowds to Blackburn Road this summer - took four wickets against Ramsbottom in the opener fixture on Sunday, even though he was freezing.

"It's just a little bit cold!" said the South African, who has played in 34 Tests for his country.

"It's a bit different over here. My hands were cold at first but then they warmed up when I got into the game."

Adams could be in for a shock in the coming weeks as last Sunday was one of the nicest days of the year so far!

"They said it was a good day! I don't think I'll be unpacking my shorts any time soon anyway.

"But it was a good start for the guys, it's good to get the first game out of the way and a win under our belts.

"It was a bit tight but we got the win."

Chasing a target of 174, Rishton reached 175 in 47.5 overs, with one wicket to spare.

Adams took four wickets but also chipping in with the bat and ball was Peter Sleep, the former Australia international, who took two wickets for 16 runs and scored 63.

"Peter is an old campaigner," said Adams, who was visiting his compatriate Charl Langeveldt, the Colne pro, when the Lancashire Evening Telegraph caught up with him this week.

"I didn't know him before I came over here but I knew who he was. He's a good lad.

"The wicket didn't give a lot of assistance, Ramsbottom struggled a bit scoring off it."

Adams is hoping to continue what he started on Sunday against Todmorden today and Nelson tomorrow.

Todmorden's pro, the Australian Jerry Cassell, has a broken bone in his hand and is unlikely to play but last week's replacement Clinton Peake didn't do too bad a job.

"He scored 100 runs!" said Adams.

"But we will try to do our best. It is the first time I have been over here as a pro. I am learning as I go and just doing my best for the club.

"I didn't know what to expect when I came over here. I spoke to a few players about it before I arrived and they just told me to play my usual game and I'd be OK.

"I didn't know it was this cold though!"

Rishton managed to persuade Adams to take up his first overseas job simply by asking his club if he fancied it.

"They rang Western Province and asked if I'd like to come over and I said okay.

"I said it was an opportunity to come and play throughout the winter.

"Usually I'd have a break now until the season started again in South Africa but this way I will continue to bowl and continuing could be a good thing.

"I got a confidence boost in the Test against Australia just before coming out here, taking 10 wickets which was especially nice as I had been out of the side before that.

"We have series coming up against Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka so I am hoping to be included in those squads."

And at the end of next season, the World Cup comes to South Africa.

"I don't know about making the World Cup squad! I'll have to start impressing a few selectors.

"I don't know if coming over here affects your chances but if I keep bowling I'll keep improving. It was something I wanted to try out."

Fixtures - Sunday: Bacup v East Lancs, Church v Burnley, Colne v Rawtenstall, Enfield v Ramsbottom, Haslingden v Todmorden, Lowerhouse v Accrington, Rishton v Nelson.