KEY POINTS:
Lancashire cricket club Clitheroe have secured Canterbury opener Michael Papps as first team professional for the 2007 Ribblesdale League season, after sending his contract around the world and back.
Papps, 27, completed terms this week with Clitheroe after what proved a lengthy process in securing his signature.
Being centrally contracted to the New Zealand team on a 12-month basis, members at Clitheroe CC had to first send Papps' contract to New Zealand and then wait for it to be forwarded to national team manager Lindsay Crocker who is in the West Indies at the World Cup.
However, judging by his current form in New Zealand's domestic league with Canterbury, the wait looks worthwhile.
Papps has proven the highest run scorer in the four-day State Championship this season by some way.
He has scored 907 runs at an average of 90.9 to lead the averages.
Papps has played in six tests, with his last on a tour of South Africa in May 2006.
Aside from also being able to keep wicket, Clitheroe club treasurer and former captain Neil Bolton expects Papps to be a more than useful bowler at club level.
- NZPA
