OVERSEAS starlet Josh Finnie is in line to make his Bournemouth debut tomorrow after unfinished paperwork delayed his bow last weekend.

The 18-year-old, a right-handed batsman and spinner, missed the nine-wicket home defeat to Hook & Newnham Basics as his registration had not been completed.

However, the New Zealand under-19 international looks set to feature when Bournemouth make the trip to Calmore Sports in Southern League Division One (1pm).

Bournemouth captain Martin Miller told the Daily Echo: “Josh was not registered in time for the match, which was always likely because we were running the gauntlet in terms of time.

“He had not had confirmation from the New Zealand police that he had had the equivalent of a CRB check, which is mandatory under league rules.

“He applied for it before he left for England but we had not received it before last weekend. Sure enough, it came through on Monday.”

Miller also revealed how former Bournemouth allrounder and ex-England international Dimitri Mascarenhas had influenced Finnie’s switch.

Mascarenhas, now coach at Otago where Finnie has learned his trade, was recently named New Zealand bowling coach for the tour of England in May and June.

Miller continued: “Dimi has a coaching role in New Zealand and is looking at players that Hampshire should have a look at, so I believe he had a hand in it.

“Dimi recommended Josh and he found his way here under the programme at the Rose Bowl. I think Dimi was quite happy for Josh to play at Chapel Gate because he knows the set-up.”

BOURNEMOUTH: Bridgen, Matthews, Badenhorst, Finnie, Kitson, Miller, Hurley, Kidner, Woodward, Singh, Pack.

  • Elsewhere in Division One, New Milton face an away trip to Hartley Wintney while in the Premier Division, Bashley travel to Alton and Lymington travel to South Wilts (all 1pm).

LYMO: Rogers, Hand, McManus, Scott, Edwards, Beetham, Ellis, Metcalfe, Ashkenazi, Jennings, Freeman.