Glamorgan have confirmed that the E.C.B. have agreed that two of their English born players, Steve James and Dean Cosker, can play for Wales in the international challenge match at Cardiff on June 24th. Both qualify on residence grounds, but all-rounders Keith Newell and Alex Wharf do not meet the Board's four-year qualifying criteria.

"I think the game is an exciting concept and I know that the boys are already looking forward to it," said Steve James, Glamorgan's Lydney-born captain. "It will seem strange for me playing against England because I was born and grew up there, and played two Test for England in 1998. But I've got a Welsh wife and daughter and I feel like an adopted Welshman these days as I'm so settled here."

"Wales versus England is always a special occasion, whatever the sport, and I don't think it will be any different in cricket. Our players will be fired up to win and I'm sure we'll have a fantastic crowd behind us. I think it will be a great game and I don't see any reason why we can't win on our own ground."

The match will be staged at the start of the one-day NatWest Series involving England, India and Sri Lanka, and with the match not clashing with any action from the summer's World Cup soccer tournament, Glamorgan are hopeful that the game will be a sell-out.

"It's a good game for England because they will be using it as preparation for the NatWest Series," said Glamorgan chief executive Mike Fatkin. " and I don't think they will be underestimating the Wales side. This is not a Wales Minor Counties team, as some people seem to believe, but a team of very good and established cricketers. We're obviously delighted that our English-born players Steve James and Dean Cosker, like Matthew Maynard and Adrian Dale who have been in Wales a little longer, meet the criteria to play and that will strengthen the squad even further."

The Wales team, who are likely to wear a special red strip, will therefore be chosen from the bulk of the Glamorgan squad, whilst two other Welshmen - Sussex batsman Tony Cottey and Somerset paceman Steffan Jones - are also eligible to play.

© Glamorgan CCC/CricInfo