Ervine starts life in Australian state cricket

The former Zimbabwe allrounder, Sean Ervine, whose international career has been cut short by the ongoing dispute with the Zimbabwe Cricket Board, will play his first matches as an Australian state cricketer this weekend, as Western Australia's squad takes part in two trial games at Lilac Hill.

Ervine impressed Australian audiences during Zimbabwe's two-Test tour Down Under last winter. He scored a one-day century against India during the VB Series, and it was at Perth that he scored his maiden Test half-century, in the same match in which Matthew Hayden scored 380 to claim Brian Lara's world record - albeit only briefly.

The trial matches - between North and South - will feature several other prominent names. Their captain, Justin Langer, will have his first run-out of the season, before joining up with the Australian squad for their tour of India, while the fast bowlers Brad Williams and Michael Clark will be testing their fitness after back problems.

All of Western Australia's contracted players will be playing, except for Chris Rogers, who is recovering from hamstring surgery. Entry to the match is free.