North ready to lead Western Australia

Western Australia's new leadership group of Marcus North as captain and Tom Moody as coach will face their first test with a Ford Ranger Cup match against New South Wales on Friday. North led the side on and off last season but this week's Perth outing will be his first since he was permanently handed the reins.

The Warriors have named a 13-man squad to take on the Blues with no new faces since last summer. Adam Voges, who is the state's new vice-captain, has been listed to play although he has spent the past fortnight in India as cover for the Australian ODI team.

Western Australia's top order was one of their strengths in 2006-07 and the key players will be present again on Friday - Justin Langer, Luke Ronchi, North and Voges. The Warriors finished third on the FR Cup table last season and were one win short of a place in the final.

Squad Justin Langer, Luke Ronchi (wk), Marcus North (capt), Adam Voges, Chris Rogers, Shaun Marsh, Luke Pomersbach, Sean Ervine, Shawn Gillies, Aaron Heal, Brett Dorey, Steve Magoffin, Ben Edmondson.