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The launch of a revamped NatWest Trophy has a South African feel to it as the first-class board XIs are pitched in among the minor counties in today's first round.

A home tie against a first-class county is guaranteed for all who reach the third round, and several of the minnows have shortened their odds by exercising overseas options.

Suffolk draft in Dave Callaghan, 34, the Eastern Province captain, for the tie against the Hampshire Board XI at Bury St Edmunds. Callaghan, who once hit 169 not out for South Africa in a one-day game against New Zealand, spent 1988 with Nottinghamshire and the Lytham St Anne's player believes he still has something to offer the English game.

South African players have been engaged by Huntingdonshire, who play Steven Pope, the Border all-rounder, against Bedfordshire, and Durham, who include Andrew Hall against Oxfordshire. Hall, a swing bowler from Gauteng and the professional at Burnmoor, has recovered after being shot at a cashpoint mugging in Johannesburg.

Billy Stelling, the Boland seamer, plays for Berkshire against Warwickshire fresh from taking seven wickets for Finchampstead against Bangladesh on Saturday. Denmark, Ireland, Scotland and Holland also take part today, with the latter hosting their first home tie on grass against Cambridgeshire at Deventer.