Darlington have a derby to begin the season, at home to Barnard Castle.

They give a debut to Rajeewa Weerasinghe, a right arm off spinner and middle order batsman from Sri Lanka.

Official Garry Moody said: “It’s his first time to the UK, and he captains his side back home, so we are hoping to see his leadership qualities.’’

Liam Coates is again their English pro, with Paul Frearycaptain, going into his third year.

Dale Marshall left to play with his brother at Richmondshire and Connor Whitelock has gone to Eppleton. Stephen Bell has joined from the RA and Joe Knowles has joined from Tadcaster.

Barnard Castle official Stephen Brenkley said: “Alasdair Appleby has joined as English professional, a forceful 20-year-old opening batsman and off-spin bowler, with Minor Counties experience with Northumberland. He was with Newcastle last season in the NEPL, where he scored more than 600 league runs and took 26 wickets.’’

The club’s overseas amateur is Giles Creedon, a physiotherapist from Brisbane. He is a middle order batsman and left am spin bowler, who has a top score of 185 in Queensland grade cricket.

Captain James Finch has left along with Simon Tennant, while Karl Turner has returned to his home club of Brandon.

Brenkley added: “It is a young side and most weeks the entire team will be in their 20s, but is also packed with experience. Turner, Finch and Tennant will obviously be missed, but there is genuine optimism about the new captain, James Quinn and vice-captain, Josh Bousfield. A top five finish is a real prospect, better if the batting fires as it could.”

Bishop Auckland play the champions Great Ayton at home and have engaged professional Nimesh Vimukthi from Sri Lanka, who has two seasons in first-class cricket and comes highly recommended, with 371 runs and 62 wickets for Police Sports Club last season.

They have strengthened signed Ryan Nicholson, an opening bat and bowler from Brandon, Gary Burlinson a mid-order bat and wicket-keeper from Whitburn and Jack Lacey, a bowler from Seaham Harbour.

Ayton have retained the services of Pitigala Jeewantha, as their overseas professional alongside Chris Batchelor as the English professional.

Club stalwart Norman Thurlow said: “Sammy took 50 plus wickets and 600 plus runs and the evergreen Batchelor in his 13th season, has scored over 13,000 runs - we have real hopes of a top three finish.”

Chris Allinson has left for Marton and Walid Ghauri has gone to the London area to play, but Michael Croft will be back.

Richmondshire travel to Marton and official Mark Layfield said: “Matthew McKiernan is the English professional and has played cricket for several counties, as well as Cumberland in the Minor Counties Championship.

“Mattie is a leg spin bowler and right-hand batsman and Dale Marshall from Darlington, has signed for the club to join his brother Craig.”

Marton have retained the services of overseas professional Aamer Sajjad, the right handed top order batsman. He had a disappointing time last season, but is backed to come good.

Their English professional is again Muhammed Zahid. He is consistently one of the top wicket takers in the league, with his left-hand off-spin. Matthew Perilli has left and has been replaced with Portuguese/South African Luke de Vlieg, a wicketkeeper-batsman.

Chris Allinson has signed from Great Ayton and James Collinge has signed from Didsbury after moving into the area.

Stokesley welcome promoted Thornaby, and have Indian Shrikant Wagh returning as overseas professional, enjoying his first stint at the club in 2015.

He arrives following his season for Vidarbha, where he was leading wicket taker in both T20 and 50 over formats. Australian leg spinner/batsmen Daniel Chillingworth, 18, is due to arrive from Sydney and has played for Charleston in New South Wales.

Andrew Weighell is captain after a season playing for Wodonga in Australia, along with opening partner Rob Foreman. Matthew Smith returns after a season playing in Leeds.

Secretary Mark Smith said: “Aspirations for the coming season would be similar to last year, but as a young team improves with experience, a concerted challenge for the league and some good cup runs are achievable.”

Thornaby secretary Marty Finegan said: “We have engaged Tharindu Rathanyake as our overseas professional and Lewis Harper, who is well known to the NYSD League as English professional. Our overseas amateur is Jeremy Boyle, a 22-year-old Australian batsman.

“Neil Coverdale and Johnathan Rickard have both joined from Hartlepool and our goal is to remain in the Premier League, win a cup and to develop our younger players.”

Hartlepool have signed one of the best opening batsman in recent years, James Lowe from Middlesbrough and he starts at home against his old club. Pools have also added left arm spinner Joe Clarkson from Thornaby and all-rounder Stuart Christon from Thirsk.

Official Michael Gough said: “We aim to be competitive this season and will be encouraging our youngsters and giving them opportunities throughout the campaign.”

Boro skipper Leigh Beaumont keeps overseas professional Steve Reeves. Their English professional is James Middleton, new to the NYSD after playing for Walsall and Staffordshire Minor Counties.”

Beaumont said: “The Australian overseas amateur is batsmen Mark Gleeson, he plays first grade cricket in Australia and is looking forward to his first time in the UK. Our amateurs are all home grown, are eager and have trained well in the winter. It will be a transitional year, with a young team.”

Marske are at Seaton Carew and skipper Lee Hodgson will again be the club’s English pro for the fourth season.

He said: “With me being the only professional at the club, some will say there’s more pressure on me to perform, but I don’t see it that way. I’m always looking to improve on previous season’s performances and last year I felt I wasn’t at my best for any part of the year.”

Hodgson added: “Benjamin Van Rensburg will be retained as the overseas amateur and, ,particularly with his performances in the second half of the year, I think he was one of the best bowlers in the league and it was a no brainer bringing him back.’’

Lewis Harper has gone to Thornaby as professional and Saeed Bin Nasir has joined Castle Eden.

Seaton have re-engaged Usman Arshad, who scored over 1,000 runs and took 38 wickets for them last season.