Bournemouth have landed a major eve-of-season coup by signing Hampshire's highly-rated South African batting star Jono McLean.

The 24-year old Western Province B batsman will make his ECB Southern Electric Premier League debut against BAT Sports tomorrow (1pm) - provided the Chapel Gate ground is passed fit.

Bournemouth skipper Richard Scott is delighted about his new signing - but not over optimistic about tomorrow's game going ahead.

McLean, signed by Bournemouth under pressure from Premier League rivals Andover and Portsmouth, certainly has happy memories of his previous visit to Chapel Gate.

"I played for Hampshire 2nd XI against Middlesex there last September and made scores of 107 and 74 not out, so it's a happy hunting ground for me so far," he said.

McLean, who made 25 in the first innings of Hampshire's MCC University Match against Cardiff UCCE at the Rose Bowl this week, played Sussex Premier League cricket for Hastings & St Leonard's Priory last summer.

He has a fine track record in South African provincial cricket, having led Western Province to the UCB Championship in 2003/4.

Provided Chapel Gate is passed fit, McLean will line up alongside fellow newcomers Darren Cowley and Matt Metcalfe against a BAT side weakened by the absence of Hampshire's Greg Lamb.

Sam Walker gets Lamb's place and replaces USA-bound Surrey YCs left-arm spinner Pat Turk.

BAT rattled up 238-8 against Bournemouth in last Sunday's rain-ruined Cockspur Cup first round tie, which is being replayed at Southern Gardens on Sunday.

Bournemouth, boosted by Jo Wilson's return from a serious shoulder injury which sidelined the Liverpudlian throughout last season, are without wicketkeeper Martin Miller and Dan Jackson.

Bashley (Rydal) will find themselves up against Western Australia left-hander Chris Rogers if their opening game against title holders South Wilts gets the go-ahead.

But, like Chapel Gate, the BCG outfield has been saturated and any further rain will put paid to the match.

Bashley are in high spirits after last weekend ECB Cockspur Cup victory at North Maidenhead - their reward is a trip to Home Counties Premier League champions Henley on Sunday week - and tomorrow will be boosted by the return of Adam Loader.

The Adelaide-based batsman played for Bashley in 2002, scoring over 550 runs.

Dorset all-rounder Glyn Treagus and Stewart Layton, the Cambridgeshire Minor Counties player, make their SPL debuts.

South Wilts include top 2004 run getter Jason Laney, but with South African Alan Kruger not having returned and James Tomlinson injured, field a weakened pace attack.