Easterns eye Cullinan while Elworthy move in doubt

Daryll Cullinan could be preparing to switch from Gauteng to champions Easterns next season, according to reports in today's newspapers.

Ray Jennings, Easterns' coach, refused to be drawn on whether the 36-year-old Cullinan was on the move. "He might be, but he might not be," said Jennings. "It could just be a rumour. We'll have to wait and see."

Easterns are understood to be preparing to unveil several high-profile signings in a bid to defend their title. Jennings hinted that Brian Lara and Carl Hooper were among those on their wish-list. "You have to look at where certain players will fit in," he said. "If you take Lara, he will only be able to play for a limited number of games. Someone like Hooper though is no longer playing so he might be able to offer more. What I want is someone who can bat at three or four and maybe bowl a few overs as well. Someone like Jimmy Adams would be ideal."

Sven Koenig, currently playing for Middlesex, is another preparing to join Easterns, although he will have to be registered as an overseas player having thrown in his lot with Middlesex as an Italian-passport-holding EU-based cricketer. Gauteng are also involved in another transfer deal. The move of 39-year-old Steve Elworthy, who Gauteng claimed on Wednesday to have signed, was denied by the president of Titans, his current club. Titans backed their denials by issuing an email from Elworthy in which he insisted that no contract had been signed.