THIS season's Costcutter York and District Senior Cricket League begins tomorrow, with no fewer than 24 overseas players registered to play.

That's just one less than last year's record overseas input, with 15 Australians, three West Indians, two Pakistanis and one player each from Sri Lanka, India, South Africa and Zimbabwe ready for action.

The Australian recruits include the return of Joel Sotham to Clifton Alliance, the arrival of all-rounder Matthew Schenke at Easingwold and opening bowler Adam Kratzmen to Osbaldwick.

Champions Clifton Alliance are scheduled to meet Pickering on the opening day and will be keen to get off to a good start against a side that will include an overseas player for the first time, Australian Neale Simmonds.

Simon Dwyer has left the Shipton Road outfit to return to Wood-house Grange, but Clifton are rumoured to have recruited Rich-ard Musgrave from neighbours York. Should this be the case, his inclusion and that of bowler Glynn Botterill, recruited after a fine season with York Post Office in the York Vale League, means that Clifton are probably slight favourites to retain their title.

One of the most interesting signings is West Indian Terry Rollock, who, as revealed in the Evening Press on Monday, has signed for Woodhouse Grange.

Rollock is a leg spinner and sound batsman who made an unbeaten 36 and took four for 50 for Barbados against England during the last English Caribbean campaign.

Grange's tenth place last season was their worst for more than 20 years, and they have acted positively by appointing former skipper Simon Gill as team manager.

Ashley Quinn has been signed from Heslington and he and Dwyer will add to the competitive edge, and if Rollock lives up to his reputation, Grange may well mount a strong challenge for honours.

Last season's runners-up Eas-ingwold, have suffered a blow with the decision of Keith Hollinrake to forsake cricket for golf and his all round ability will be missed along with Durham colt Muazam Ali.

Schenke will need to return some impressive performances if Easing-wold are to figure prominently but a mid-table position looks likely. Schenke is an opening left-handed bat and right arm medium pace bowler from Sydney's Balmain Club.

Thirsk mounted a challenge last season before falling away to finish fourth and may have to be satisfied with a similar position this term.

Their bowling will again rely heavily on Barry Petty, who took 30 wickets more than his closest rival in last year's premier division.

They will be hoping that the gaps left in the batting line-up by the absence of Chris Paul and Peter Kent can be filled. Des Wyrill had an golden summer season last year when he topped the batting averages while Dave Greenlay and Neil Stephenson also scored runs regularly.

However, these three will need contributions from their team-mates and will be hoping that Lincoln McCrae from Melbourne will turn in some match-winning performances.

David Simpson has taken over as skipper at Heworth from Martin Sigsworth and the club has turned to Australia for their overseas player, Nicholas Fisher from Queen CC.

Other new recruits to Elm Park Way are Chris Mead from Acomb, Jonathan Simpson from Woodhouse Grange and Mark Fratson, who is one of a number of former York RI players to sign for other clubs following the demise of the New Lane club at the end of last season.

Fratson's former team-mate, Brian Stow, will also line up for Heworth and his bowling will add a cutting edge to the attack. Heworth, who were champions in 1998, may mount a realistic challenge in a championship race.