Scholes have signed West Indies batsman Devon Smith as their overseas professional for 2017.
The 35-year-old left-handed opener from Grenada last played Test cricket in 2015 , the year Scholes were Drakes Huddersfield League champions.
And Chapelgate skipper James ‘Keith’ Noble says Smith won’t be the last new face introduced to the Scholes line-up next year.
Smith, who made his first class debut for the Windward Islands in 1999, played his first Test for the West Indies four years later against Australia at Georgetown – alongside Brian Lara, Marlon Samuels and Shiv Chanderpaul.
He has played 38 Tests in all, with a top score of 108 against England in 2004, and totals 1,593 runs at top level.
See Delph receive the All Rounder Sykes Cup:
Smith also has 1,059 One Day International runs in 47 appearances, with a best of 107 which came in the 2011 World Cup, when he finished as West Indies’ leading run-scorer with 300 at 42.85.
“Devon is a top-quality player and it’s great for the club to be able to get someone of that calibre on board, because we want to be challenging again for honours,” said Noble.
“We know the level that’s required to win trophies and, with the quality Devon brings, we feel he will help massively in that.
“At Scholes we have had international cricketers here in the past and it’s always been great experience for our local lads to play alongside them.
“It helps your homegrown players to develop and Devon, with his experience and the coaching he will also be doing, will play a vital role for us.”
Last season, Kiwi Tom McRury did an excellent job for Scholes, scoring 1,000 runs at an average of exactly 50 and taking more than 40 wickets in all competitions.
Noble believes Smith, who bats left handed but bowls right-arm offspin, will replace those runs and wickets and would not be surprised if he delivered more.
“We believe he fits into our side really well as a prolific batsman and offspinner,” said Noble.
“His experience with bat and ball will be key and when someone of this ilk comes on your radar and shows so much enthusiasm to get involved and get the deal done, it makes you feel very good about the whole thing.
“We did very well with Cup runs and finishing fifth in the Drakes Premiership last season, but we maybe just lacked that extra little edge in quality which we believe Devon will bring, so we are looking forward to seriously challenging this time – especially with a couple more arrivals maybe on the horizon.”
