The legendary Ian Botham made an immediate impact playing in Durham's first championship game, and 16 years on Northallerton are hoping that his son Liam will make a similar impression on his debut in the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division game at Saltburn.

He could not have a tougher baptism as Saltburn comfortably took the title last season and are expected to be front-runners again.

Northallerton have further strengthened their line-up with the capture of Indian Rashmi Parida and, with Jonathan Barnes also in the side, travel in confident mood.

Newly-promoted Marton have bolstered their squad and Martin Hood, Chris Veasey and former Yorkshire Academy player Dan Conway could present problems for Guisborough who will also face Marton's new overseas player Rahul Sanghvi.

Guisborough, runners-up last season after winning the championship for four successive years, will be strong contenders for the title with Australian Sean Clingeleffer and last year's NYDS League Player of the Year Neil Russell in their side.

Aussie Aaron Heal is pencilled in for his Darlington debut at Richmondshire who have Shanoka Dissanayake back again while Darlington RA, at home to Middlesbrough, are delighted to include Syed Zaidi. Boro have brought in Keeley Todd as their overseas man to team up with Alex Roberts.

The Readers Durham County League champions Esh Winning begin with a visit to Etherley where left-arm spinner Farouk Iqbal and paceman Paul Chivers will debut.

Shannon O'Hara has arrived from Australia to play for Kimblesworth at home to Willington who will also face former Lanchester pair Tony Halliday and Kevin Dixon junior. Willington have re-engaged Aussie Chris Slattery.

Imran Jan is expected to do well for Mainsforth starting today, at home to Hylton. The ex-Blackhall and Guisborough all-rounder was a force to be reckoned with in the NYSD League.