The contribution of the 27-year-old wicket-keeper batsman has been one of the reasons for the Windsor Park club's early season form.

Hartley has so far hit 370 runs in 10 matches at an average of 61.

Captain Jack Catterall said: "He does not mess about. He's very focussed. At the end of each game he'll give you all his assessment so you know where you stand. He says it how it is.

"As a wicketkeeper he's the best I've seen."

Bowler Jimmy Lee said everyone is learning from his professional approach.

"He talks to you as a bowler," he said. "Even after a game that we've won he's been talking in the dressing room afterwards about some of the things that we could have done better."

Injured opener and understudy wicket-keeper Josh Tolley added: "Chris Hartley is a very good player. He's been giving me one-to-one sessions during training, which has been really good."

Hartley himself said that with every game he's adapting better to English conditions.

He said: "Of course when I first arrived the conditions here were very different to the ones back home and it took some time to get used to it.

"However, in my last few games I have managed to get a few half-centuries and now I'm looking to turn them into 100s."

Hartley, regarded among the top three wicket-keepers in Australia, said he's enjoying his time off the field in Chorley.

"Everyone has been great with me," he said. "The lads have a great spirit and we make sure we take it on to the pitch."

Chorley host Leyland on Saturday.