BANGOR will be without the services of overseas star Francois Mostert as they look to defend their North Wales Cricket League Premier Division crown.

The gifted all-rounder was a key component in the championship success last term, but increased visa restrictions on league players has meant the South African will not be returning to the club.

The club have moved swiftly to replace Mostert with the signing of New Zealander Matt Kelly, who is a British Passport holding right-arm seamer plying his trade in Wellington’s top-flight club competition, the Rothbury Capital City Premier Men’s.

Over the past three seasons, Kelly has been amongst the top wicket-takers in Wellington Premier Cricket, ranking fourth in 2014/15 (42 wickets at 10.30), third in 2015/16 (42 wickets at 14.43) and 17th in 2016/17 (25 wickets at 14.56).

He has also represented the Hutt Valley Men’s team in the Cricket Wellington Dempster Shield, and comes with a proven record in one of New Zealand’s best club competitions.

Robbie Marshall has agreed to stay on as skipper for the champions, while key figures such as batsman Matty Haswell have also signed on for the coming campaign.

The title holders begin their season by welcoming Gresford to the Ty Newydd Ground on Saturday, April 21, before travelling to newly promoted Northop and fierce rivals Menai Bridge for what is expected to be a pivotal clash in the early stages of the campaign.

A club spokesman, said: “Work has already begun to build on the success we had last year, and the whole squad have been working incredibly hard.

“Francois will be missed by the club on and off the field, he was a key player to our success last season, but we welcome Kiwi Matt Kelly as our overseas player and hope he can have the same impact.”