WORCESTER Cricket Club are hoping to sign a New Zealand player to spearhead their challenge for Birmingham League honours next year.

The cricketer will probably come from their twinning club in New Zealand, Cadets, who have a left- arm quick bowler and middle order batsman that Worcester are particularly interested in signing.

Worcester hope to finalise the details very shortly members were told when the club staged its annual general meeting at their Norton headquarters.

In his annual report the Worcester chairman Bill Tansell paid tribute to the players for gaining promotion to Division One of the Birmingham League.

Congratulations were also paid to John Meredith who retired after 24 years as a club administrator.

Treasurer Ross Edwards presented the balance sheet to members which showed a small profit on the season. Chris Eyers was elected to serve as club captain again for the forthcoming season.

David Keyte gave details of the club's tour to Barbados in March 2002.

It was hoped that a new net area would be available some time next year which would be a big bonus for practice facilities for the seniors and youth members.

Any players interested in playing for the club, or participating on the Barbados tour are invited to ring Bill Tansell on 07836-528252 for further details.

Meanwhile, Sean Cairney has been elected as the new captain of another Worcester cricket club -- Old Elizabethans.

Previously at the helm earlier in the nineties, the vastly experienced Cairney takes over from Stuart Tipper who will be vice-captain for the 2001 campaign.

Other captaincy appointments made at the recent annual general meeting were as follows: Saturday 2nd XI: Barry Briscoe. Vice-captain: Chris Dale. Saturday 3rd XI: Phil Prosser. Vice-captain: Mark Walker.

Sunday 1st XI: Ben Schiffmann. Vice-captain: Steve May, the Queensland all-rounder who is remaining for a second season as the club's overseas player. Sunday 2nd XI: Steve Dorr. Vice-captain: Kelvin Beeching.

The OEs have already engaged the services of several new players and will be starting winter net sessions at the Royal Grammar School Sports Hall in Worcester on February 2.

Tim Phillips was elected chairman for a sixth year and other appointments on the committee included Lynne Newell (general secretary), Chris Dale (cricket secretary) and David Payne (treasurer).

Members were given a progress report on the club's brand new second ground and pavilion being created as a replacement for their previous second ground which is now the site for the Droitwich Road park and ride.

On the junior front, the club now has a record 14 qualified coaches who will be looking after a flourishing junior membership which topped the 100 mark last season.

Teams have been entered at all age levels in the Worcestershire Cricket Board competitions for next season.

Further information on all the club's activities can be obtained from Tim Phillips on Worcester 421896 or Rosalyn Dale on 610385.