The Lions have been waiting anxiously for the Jamaican to arrive in Australia after recruiting him before the start of the Ballarat Cricket Association season.

Darley captain-coach Michael Alexander said Hyatt was set to land in the country on Friday and would be picked to play against Golden Point in Saturday’s Twenty20 fixture.

Alexander said immigration issues had delayed Hyatt’s arrival, but was excited by what he would bring to the club for the second half of the season.

“It’s always hard to tell, you never know, but hopefully he really strengthens up our batting. He’ll bat through the middle order and hopefully play a big role for us in that capacity,” he said.

Hyatt’s career has included playing for the West Indies at the highest level.

The now 35-year-old played nine one-day internationals and five Twenty20s. His best performance with the willow came when opening the batting for the West Indies against Bangladesh in an ODI during 2011. He made 39 – hitting two fours and four sixes – as his side easily chased down the target needed for victory.

Hyatt will bolster a Darley side that sits ninth on the ladder. The Lions only registered their first win of the 2018-19 campaign on Saturday when they beat Ballarat-Redan.

Elsewhere this weekend, East Ballarat will look to continue a hot run of form against one of the powerhouses of the competition in Mt Clear.

The Hawks are second on the first grade ladder after registering a fourth-straight win in last weekend’s Twenty20 encounter with Napoleons-Sebastopol.

Despite the run of success, East captain Josh Brown is well aware this is a tough ask against a strong Mounties line-up.

Mt Clear skipper Darcy Thomson said East was a “dangerous” side.

“It will be a really tough game,” Thomson said.

“Their bowling is probably their strength, with Tristan Dixon in good form. They’re a worry, that’s for sure.”

Mt Clear is currently at the top of the table, percentage clear of the Hawks.

The Mounties thrashed North Ballarat in last weekend’s clash, Nathan Yates top-scoring with 63 and four bowlers all chipping in with two wickets apiece.

Ballarat-Redan has named Simon Allan to play this Saturday, seven days after his collapse while batting in the team’s loss to Darley.

Two Swords skipper Jayden Hayes said Allan had a history of seizures and was relatively unharmed following his shock fall at the weekend.

He said Allan’s brother Jarrod was a likely starter this Saturday against Buninyong.

The all-rounder is on permit from Lexton.

Other T20 fixtures this Saturday will see North Ballarat host Naps-Sebas and Wendouree meet Brown Hill.