PERHAPS the most intriguing of the foreign imports is Moeen Cheema, who will be the first American to ever play in Hampshire recreational cricket when he dons the colours of Burridge in Saturday's opener against Bashley (Rydal).

A law graduate from Harvard University, Cheema is a right-arm pace bowler, who plays for Atlanta Gymkhana on America's eastern seaboard.

Bournemouth welcome back Richard Scott, the former Hampshire left-hander, as Director of Cricket.

But with teenage wicketkeeping prospect Chris Park joining the Northants Academy and Peter Waite not returning from Western Australia, Bournemouth may lack strength in depth to push for the honours.

South Wilts will boast an unusual but highly potent left-arm pace attack - Natal prospect Shane Adam sharing the new ball with Hampshire's James Tomlinson, who has been creating a few wicket-taking waves in his first summer term at Cardiff UCCE.

Adam has already represented Natal in South Africa's four-day SuperSport competition and is strongly tipped by Bemerton skipper Russell Rowe to be among the top wicket takers this summer.

With all-rounder Paul Draper arriving from Calmore Sports, South Wilts could be a surprise packet in the SPL this term.

Former SA Academy player Christoff Bothma, from the Free State, has joined Calmore Sports, whose strength has been seriously sapped by the departures of Martin Kellaway and now Draper in successive years.

Another South African youngster Ryan Swan, from Johannesburg, has the unenviable prospect of filling the shoes of Stephen Cook at newly promoted Portsmouth.

Cook, eldest son of Hampshire coach Jimmy, scored over 730 runs in Portsmouth's Division 2 championship campaign last summer.

Swan, who is coaching at Portsmouth Grammar School, played for Gauteng U19s this winter.

Paul Dew and Pete Hayward are both expected to miss the first half of the season.

Hampshire's Lawrie Prittipaul is expected to play for Tony Middleton's Academy XI - or Southsea, in the Hampshire League.

Liphook & Ripsley, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, have recruited Cove's Neil Randall and bring in Western Province Under-19 player Alistair Gray, from Cape Town.

Hampshire YCs starlet Chris Wright remains at Liphook after turning down a possible move to Havant.

Havant, the inaugural Premier League champions in 2000, have decided to run without any overseas support this summer.

Their bowling armoury will be weakened by the departure of the economical Richard Lewis, who has been transferred in the banking world.

But fitness instructor Bevis Moynhan has arrived from the Huddersfield League and Mackey Hobson from nearby Hambledon.

Hampshire Under-19 captain Steve Snell, who has just joined the Lord's groundstaff, will command a top six berth in a powerful Havant top-order.

Off-spinning South African Gareth Tate is among five newcomers introduced to Andover by Roger Miller, who has succeeded Jerry Hayward as captain.

Former Sussex and Middlesex opener Toby Radford has switched from relegated Hungerford, leg-spinning all-rounder Martin Docis joins from Cove, and wicket-keeper Lee Wateridge from Gosport.

Richard Taylor, who exited BAT's title tilt in a hurry last summer, will significantly strengthen Andover's batting and medium-pace bowling divisions.