Warriors limp into season without leader

Western Australia will begin their campaign without the captain Marcus North after he was diagnosed with a degenerative knee problem. North, who was promoted after Justin Langer stood down in the off-season, saw a specialist in Melbourne on Wednesday and the condition is treatable, but he will miss at least two weeks.

A Western Australia spokesman said North would undergo a detailed rehabilitation programme to treat the right knee tendon and his fitness would be reviewed fortnightly. Tom Moody, the new coach, hoped North would be available for the "bulk of the season". "While the timing of this injury is unfortunate," he said, "the main focus for Marcus and the coaching staff will be to help him get back to 100% fitness."

Adam Voges, who was in India as cover for Australia's one-day side, will lead the Warriors for the first time when they open their season in the FR Cup against New South Wales on Friday. He will also be in charge for the Pura Cup game starting in Perth on Sunday.

Western Australia squad Chris Rogers, Luke Ronchi (wk), Adam Voges (capt), Justin Langer, Shaun Marsh, Luke Pomersbach, Sean Ervine, Shawn Gillies, Aaron Heal, Brett Dorey, Ben Edmondson, Steve Magoffin.

New South Wales squad Phil Jaques, Ed Cowan, Simon Katich (capt), Dominic Thornely, Peter Forrest, Daniel Smith (wk), Grant Lambert, Moises Henriques, Stephen O'Keefe, Nathan Hauritz, Doug Bollinger, Mark Cameron, Matthew Nicholson.