Warriors lose Macdonald to Tasmania

Tim Macdonald, the fast bowler, has left Western Australia and signed on with Tasmania for 2007-08. Macdonald, 26, made his Pura Cup and Twenty20 debuts for the Warriors in 2006-07 but has struggled to break into a side boasting Brett Dorey, Ben Edmondson and Steve Magoffin.

The most prolific wicket-taker in Perth's club cricket for the past two seasons, Macdonald earned a full state contract in 2006-07. His one first-class match yielded no wickets but he was impressive in his three Twenty20 games, with an economy rate of 6.

Graeme Wood, the WACA chief executive, said it was disappointing to lose Macdonald and he was unsure why the fast bowler departed. "He spent last season as a member of the Warriors squad and the state match committee saw him as an important part of the WA squad in the coming years," Wood said.

Macdonald might believe he has a better chance of earning a place in the Tigers' line-up with Ben Hilfenhaus likely to be drafted into the Australian squad more often in the coming year. However, Macdonald will be competing with established Tasmania fast bowlers such as Damien Wright, Adam Griffith, Brendan Drew and Brett Geeves.