CAPTAIN Gareth White hopes returning Greg Platten can help turn Cockermouth Cricket Club into serious North Lancs and Cumbria League Premier Division title contenders.

The Sandair club confirmed the opening batsman, who has played for Cumberland CCC and Lancashire's Academy, will re-join Cockermouth from Workington on Thursday.

"We are delighted to welcome Greg back home to Cockermouth CC," said White who works as the deputy headteacher at All Saints' CE Primary School.

"He is a class act with the bat and also in the field.

"He has spent two very successful seasons in an excellent Workington team and we hope that, as a senior player, Greg can help use this experience to help turn Cockermouth into Premier League challengers.

"We have been consistent over the past few seasons but have lacked a little quality in key areas. Greg will certainly ensure that is addressed for 2018.

"Our top six will be very, very strong for the season and, hopefully, exciting to watch."

Last season, Cockermouth finished fourth in the North Lancs/Cumbria Premier Division, five points behind third-placed Carlisle.

Pakistani all-rounder Haseeb Azam will be Cockermouth's overseas professional this year.

Cockermouth will start their league campaign on April 21 at Millom, before playing host to Lindal Moor in their first home match of the campaign seven days later.

They will end their 2018 league season as they play host to Millom in the return fixture.