CHIPPENHAM'S search for a regular overseas man this summer could finally be at an end following the recruitment of confident West Indian all-rounder Sean Adams.

Former St Vincent under 19s player man Adams made a blistering start to his club cricket career in England, blasting 52 off just 40 balls in Chippenham's otherwise disappointing defeat at Taunton on Saturday.

He followed that with 65 against Swindon in a West of England Trophy clash on Sunday, and took three wickets for 38 as Chippenham cantered to victory against their Gloucester and Wiltshire League rivals.

Despite being a member of the British Army and stationed at RAF Hullavington, Adams is classed as an overseas player. He is gunning for a career in the first class game and feels Chippenham could be a good stepping stone.

He said: "I was told I could join a civilian club and Chippenham just suited me. I was looking for a club to join and it isn't too bad a standard.

"This is the first team I have been in other than the army, and my main aim is to play for a bigger county side.

"The weekend went okay for me. I bowled well on Sunday and took three wickets. Two catches were also dropped in the slips. I bowl medium pace, but would say I'm a better batsman that I am a bowler."

Adams has lived in the UK for two years after moving from his native St Vincent. He has previously played his cricket in Army representative sides and believes he has adjusted his game well given the different conditions in this country.

He said: "The wickets are a bit slower here than back home. I haven't found it too difficult to adapt because great players can adapt to any wickets."

Chippenham have struggled to field a regular overseas player in their first X1 this summer after initially recruiting South African batsman Hartman Steyn.

His work commitments at Bowood Golf Club have seen him make only a handful of appearances, although he remains on the club's books. Australian teenager Jace Lawson, who found wickets hard to come by last summer, has returned this year but has mainly featured in the second team.

Chippenham skipper Ian Merryweather was impressed by Adams' debut batting display at Taunton.

He said: "He got 52 and smashed it around, so hopefully he can do a bit more for us. Apparently he bowls a bit too, so we'll have to see what he can do in that department as well."

Meanwhile, Malmesbury were boosted at the weekend by the addition of Indian paceman Sami Akhtar, who took five wickets for 16 as the Wiltshire side overcame Colwall by 40 runs.

Malmesbury, like many other clubs, have suffered at the hands of authorities in the Indian sub-continent this summer in their bid to secure a visa and work permit for last season's star man BK Majumder.

The have now all but given up hope of seeing the popular Indian this year but have found a short-term solution to their problems in Akhtar, a member of the Calcutta Colts side currently touring the south west.

As Akhtar is on an amateur tour, he has been allowed to travel with his colleagues to these shores and Malmesbury will benefit from his talents until his scheduled return home in just over two weeks' time.