Tharaka Sendanayake - who scored more than 400 runs and claimed 32 wickets - and 55-wicket teammate Lahiru Fernando helped the Bulls to a grand final triumph last season.

Now, a host of their South West Cricket rivals are turning to overseas talent in pursuit of the same glory.

South West Cricket secretary Daniel Missen said the association was thrilled to welcome overseas talent.

Missen said all but three teams - Mortlake, Terang and Bookaar - had opted to sign overseas players ahead of Saturday's season-openers.

"It's only going to make the league stronger," he said.

"We've tried to be smart with it and have introduced the motion to limit it to two per club.

"They could be out for cricket or someone who wants to have a hit on a working visa."

Missen said Pomborneit's model proved overseas talent could bolster the standard of cricket.

"They proved with winning the flag and only dropping one match for the whole year that it can be successful," he said.

"With other clubs following this season it brings it back to a level playing field a bit."

Pomborneit president Dave Murphy said his club's Sri Lankan recruits brought professionalism and talent to the club.

"You can tell they've played at a high level. The way they go about it, prepare and carry themselves on the field is (great)," he said.

"It's provided a bit of variation to the competition.

"Most of us have grown up playing cricket against each other since we were kids so it adds a bit of a different dynamic."

Cobden has welcomed English wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Smalley-Harris. Skipper Johno Benallack said the club initially wasn't sold on signing an overseas player but warmed to the idea.

Benallack said Smalley-Harris would bring a passion for coaching and improving players.

"It'll help us massively in that regard," he said.