IQBAL Sikander, who has spent the last seven years as professional for Bolton League side Tonge, has signed for Leigh.

Sikander helped Tonge to four consecutive Bolton League championships, frequently passing the 100 wickets and 1000 runs milestones.

But when he opted to step down as Tonge's professional for next summer, Leigh made their move.

Explained Leigh's cricket chairman Gary Woodward: "We got wind of the fact that Iqbal wasn't going back to Tonge, so we decided to make him an offer to be our overseas player.

"He accepted and the cricket committee at Leigh rushed things through so he could leave for home knowing a deal had been done.

"It's an exciting prospect for us to have such a high profile player coming to Beech Walk. He's certainly the biggest name player we've ever had."

And Sikander will be joining a club on the verge of making a significant breakthrough in the Liverpool Competition. Modest league form has been a disappointment this year but in the knockout competitions Leigh won one final and were beaten in another.

"There's huge potential at Leigh and someone like Sikander can help us develop that. He'll get involved in the coaching and help bring on the young talent that's starting to come through."

Sikander will be back in Leigh ready for the start of the season in April and his family will join him soon afterwards.

Tonge cricket manager Ray Eccleshare added: "The move took us by surprise. We understood that he wasn't going to play over here again."