SALTBURN’S flying start to life in the top flight of the NYSD has given a terrific boost to a club who have fought hard to recover from the disintegration of their former Premier title-winning side.

Relegation followed swiftly on the heels of that last major championship in 2005, and five long years in the second tier of NYSD cricket were only brought to an end when the Division One title was secured at the end of the last campaign.

A careful recruitment programme over the winter brought immediate dividends with that impressive opening day win over Normanby Hall, the victory owing a great deal to the skills of the new overseas star, Umesh Karunaratne, who bagged four wickets and then smashed a 34-ball half century.

A genuine all-rounder, the 24 year-old Sri Lankan’s first-class averages stack up well – batting 35, bowling 20 – and the fact he has played for his country at all junior levels and captained the national under-23 team suggests the Seasiders may have found a gem.

He will take his place in an unchanged team for tomorrow’s home game against Great Ayton who are struggling to get their overseas man into the country because of visa delays in South Africa. With Matt Wilkinson unavailable this week, Jaedyn Bartosh-Short, a young New Zealander, will make his debut alongside Ryan Tuck.

Hartlepool’s home game against Stokesley will be preceded by a noon opening of the newly refurbished pavilion at Park Drive which has been a feature of cricket at the ground for over 100 years. And the hosts will be very much hoping that the new surroundings will provide inspiration to on-field success following the opening day defeat at Marton.

Top batter Neil Coverdale misses this game for Pools, and there is uncertainty over Adil Arif’s availability because of school. 17-year-old John Cannon is promoted and will face an unchanged Stokesley team.

Feethams features an early season match-up between last year’s two top sides, and the Quakers have a score to settle after the two 2012 drubbings they took at the hands of eventual champions Richmondshire in which they failed to secure a single point.

Darlington go into the game with the same team that hammered Barnard Castle last week, but the Dalesmen have an enforced changed with Brad Elsworth carrying a back injury, although promising youngster Rob Carr has recoveredfrom his hip problem and plays.

Barnard Castle will be desperate to put on a better showing for home supporters when they entertain Normanby, and with record run scorer Aamer Sajjad set to arrive in the country yesterday they have received a lift to their spirits.

Elsewhere two unchanged line-ups feature in Redcar’s game against Guisborough, Middlesbrough expect a first appearance of the season by Paul Johnston in their game at Sedgefield.