THE Bangladeshi batsman whose century famously helped slay the Aussies in a one-day international in Cardiff last year is now finding his feet in Rainhill.

Mohammad Ashraful, who is also the youngest ever test centurion having knocked a ton against Sri Lanka a day before his 17th birthday, is currently playing in the Merseyside & Southport Cricket Alliance First Division.

And he is determined to hit a run of consistent batting form at Victoria Terrace and secure a County Championship club for the 2007 season.

Ashraful said: "I have settled in well at Rainhill and the people there have made me so welcome, particularly the club captain Paul Ford.

"This is the first time I have played club cricket in England - and it is a very friendly club. It was a little frustrating at first because we had a very wet May, but we are getting some fine weather now.

"I am hoping to get some runs in these conditions and find some consistency."

Ashraful, who is 22 next month, has already achieved much in his career including an unbeaten 158 against India at Chittagong. And he will take a break from Rainhill in July because his country needs him for the five one day international series in Zimbabwe.

He will return to complete his stint at Rainhill in August.

"I am glad of the tour particularly because it is quite frustrating having no Test matches in over 12 months - our next Test is against India in May 2007," he said.

Ashraful, who also bowls leg break, is helping coach Rainhill's youngsters during his stay in the borough.

The presence of the most flamboyant stroke player from the Bangladeshi Test team has raised the profile of the club on the other side of the world, with club captain Paul Ford left to reply to over 200 emails a week from Ashraful's supporters back home.

Rainhill's next game is this Saturday at home to Wavertree in the Merseyside & Southport Cricket Alliance First Division at Victoria Terrace at 2pm