A Bolton League cricket side has revealed how it pulled off the coup of the year and snapped up a West Indian test star.

Farnworth Social Circle will take the field next season with wrist spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo in their ranks.

The extraordinary deal had been agreed in principle before the summer, only for Farnworth to get the shock of their lives when Nagamootoo smashed a century in a tourists' match at Somerset then played in the Oval Test Match against England.

Worried Social Circle officials thought that the talented 25-year-old might be tempted by offers from elsewhere or at the very least - given his new-found star status -- or demand a higher fee to turn out in the Bolton League.

However, Nagamootoo proved an honourable man and signed on the dotted line, allowing Circle to celebrate.

Delighted club secretary John Hutchinson paid tribute to the man who made the deal possible in the first place - outgoing professional Kevin Darlington.

Both Darlington and Nagamootoo hail from Guyana and the former Farnworth pro had a word with his fellow countryman suggesting the Bolton League outfit.

Nagamootoo agreed and then embarked on his whirlwind summer culminating in that Test appearance against Nasser Hussain's England.

"We were panicking at that point," admitted Hutchinson. "It was only a couple of weeks after he'd told us he'd be interested in coming but we thought he might want to double his salary because of the Test appearance. But he didn't and we are delighted to get him.

"We wanted a spinner because the wet wickets of the past two summers have not been good for fast bowlers.

"I was very impressed with what I saw of him during the Test and if he can do it at that level he should be able to do it in Bolton ... though that's not always the case."

Nagamootoo will arrive in town for the start of the season in April and will live in digs in either Farnworth or Bolton.

If all goes well, he could help Farnworth shake off the disappointment of recent seasons and propel them to league and cup glory.

"It's great for both the profile of the Bolton league and for our club," added Hutchinson.

"He will be a great help to the young players, just like 15 years ago when we had Sylvester Clarke playing here and it should also bring the crowds in."

Nagamootoo's season at Piggott Park won't be disrupted by commitments to the West Indies team because they aren't touring next summer.

There is an A team tour but Farnworth are confident that now Nagamootoo has broken into the senior team he will not be required.