KEITH PEEL Chris Brown predicts that a winter fact-finding mission will help him bag even more wickets this summer. And the 31-year-old off-spinner certainly made a spectacular start, with 10 victims on the opening weekend of the season.

KEITH PEEL

Chris Brown predicts that a winter fact-finding mission will help him bag even more wickets this summer.

And the 31-year-old off-spinner certainly made a spectacular start, with 10 victims on the opening weekend of the season.

First he took five for 38 when Horsford launched their Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League campaign against Swardeston at Manor Park.

Then he bagged five for 13 in a Stan Biss Trophy first round win over Saham Toney.

Brown studied the art of spin bowling during a Lord's Taverners-funded trip to Sri Lanka which also saw him play several first-class matches.

“I learned a lot that will improve my game,” said Brown, who had spells with Lancashire and Glamorgan before joining Norfolk from Cheshire in 2001.

“Hopefully that will mean more wickets for both my club side, Horsford, and for the county.”

Horsford are playing in the East Anglian Premier League for the first time, having been promoted as Norfolk Alliance champions.

“I've waited five years to play club cricket at this level and I'm really looking forward to the season,” he said.

“I'm relishing the challenge of the EAPL, as is everyone involved with Horsford.

“We worked really hard to win the Alliance last season and that work has continued throughout the winter, both on and off the pitch.

“We've attracted a few new players to Manor Park and we're ready for the step up in level.”

Horsford lost to Swardeston, by two wickets, but will be hopeful of victory on Saturday at Fakenham, who slumped to a 239-run defeat at Godmanchester in their opening fixture.

Swardeston next entertain Norwich, while match of the day is at Brundall, where Vauxhall Mallards, title winners three times between 2002 and 2004, play reigning champions Bury St Edmunds.

Both sides have been boosted by the signing of new opening batsmen.

Tom Huggins has joined Bury from Northamptonshire, while Mallards have recruited 27-year-old South African left-hander Derrin Bassage, who plays for Western Province Cobras.

Another South African - young left-arm fast bowler “Lennox” Lonwabo Trotsobe, from Eastern Province - will be playing in the Alliance for Mallards' second team, which will be captained by the experienced Peter Free.