Adam Gilchrist named captain of Western Warriors

The Western Australian Cricket Association is pleased to advise that Adam Gilchrist has today been officially named Captain of the Western Warriors. Gilchrist is currently Vice Captain of the Australian test and one-day teams and has captained recent test matches against the West Indies and England in the absence of the injured Steve Waugh.

The Western Australian Cricket Association is also pleased to advise that Justin Langer has been appointed Vice Captain of the Western Warriors. Langer has been a regular member of the WA team since his debut in 1991.

In the absence of both Adam and Justin from the Warriors team during the season, formal recommendations for a replacement Captain and Vice Captain will be made from the State Selectors to the I & I Committee for appointments, in advance of scheduled matches.

The formal appointments of the new Warriors Captain and Vice Captain were made during a meeting of the WACA's International & Interstate Cricket Committee: held earlier today at the WACA Ground.

During the same meeting, formal appointments were also made for the two final State Squad Contracts, as well as the naming of a replacement for the vacant Assistant Coach's position.

State Squad Contracts Scarborough's Robert Baker and Subiaco Floreat's Gavin Swan were each awarded with a State Squad Contract. Swan's contract comes as a result of his continued success at first grade level: and in particular for his outstanding bowling during last season's finals series.

Baker's contract comes following a strong recovery from the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that has kept him sidelined from cricket for the majority of the past two seasons. Warrior's Coach Michael Veletta said that he and the Warriors coaching staff would be looking to ease Baker back into peak condition over the summer.

Assistant Coach The vacant Western Warriors Assistant Coach's position was appointed to Noel Knight. Knight's appointment onto the senior State Coaching Panel comes as a result of his proven success as a Club Coach in the WACA's Pennant Competition. He coached Subiaco Floreat to last season's premiership - as well as Scarborough in 1994/95 and Bayswater Morley in 1998/99.

Wally Edwards, Chairman of the WACA's I & I Committee, said that Knight's appointment was an indication of the I & I Committee's desire to provide greater rewards for consistent performances in Club Cricket.

State Cricket Selection Panel Late last month, former West Australian left arm pace bowler Peter Capes was named as the replacement for Doug Harris on the State Cricket Selection Panel. A replacement was sought for Doug Harris when he was recently appointed State Coaching Manager for the WACA.

Capes played 40 first class games for WA, and took 124 wickets at an average of 31.65. He was also a member of WA's FAI Cup winning team of 1989-90, and Sheffield Shield winning teams of 1986/87 & 1988/89.