Elliott returns to Glamorgan

Matthew Elliott has been confirmed as one of Glamorgan's two overseas players for 2004. He had one season with them in 2000 and replaces Queensland captain Jimmy Maher, who is unable to make the start of the season because of personal reasons.

Elliott, who has also played for Yorkshire, is expected ahead of Glamorgan's Championship-opener against Derbyshire in April.

"Jimmy Maher was due to return to Glamorgan this summer but he informed us a few weeks ago that he was unlikely to be available for the opening games of the season for personal reasons," Mike Fatkin, Glamorgan's chief executive, explained. "We understand his reasons but he in turn appreciates the importance which our captain Robert Croft and John Derrick [the coach] attach to having our overseas players available for the start of the season.

"We know Matthew well from his time at Glamorgan in 2000, when he helped the team reach its first major Lord's final in 23 years."

Elliott has been in good form during the Australian season, scoring more than 1,000 runs for Victoria. In his one season with Glamorgan he also exceeded 1,000 runs, and was named Man of the Match in the C&G Trophy final when he blasted an unbeaten 128 at Lord's.

Elliott, who still harbours ambitions to play for Australia again, played the last of his 20 Tests against the West Indies at Bridgetown in the 1998-99.