Marcus North has been included in the Western Warriors squad to play the Tasmanian Tigers in a Pura Cup game in Hobart starting Friday.

North was included in the team following last night's dismissal of Brad Hogg's appeal against a one-match suspension from the WACA's Sunsmart League.

The suspension coincides with the Western Warriors Pura Cup game against the Tasmanian Tigers and under WACA Cricket Council rules he is automatically suspended for this first-class fixture.

Last night the WACA's Appeals Board met to hear an appeal lodged by Brad Hogg of the Willetton Cricket Club against a penalty handed down by the Pennant Cricket Committee last Tuesday evening. Hogg's penalty was a one-match suspension and one suspended match, from the WACA's Sunsmart League.

Hogg appealed against the severity of the penalty on the grounds that it resulted in severe personal hardship and was not in the best interests of WA cricket.

The Appeals Board dismissed Hogg's appeal saying that after careful deliberation, they found that Brad Hogg was unable to make a sufficient case under the Cricket Council rules to satisfy the Appeals Board.

Speaking on the decision Appeals Board Chairman Tony Claydon said,

"It is in the interests of WA cricket for the Cricket Council rules to be enforced and it seems equally important for the rules to be seen by all players to be enforced."

After the hearing, Brad Hogg was repentant.

"In regard to this incident, I would like to apologise to my family, my team-mates, both Willetton and Western Warriors, to fellow grade players and to those who follow and support WA cricket to the fullest, especially up and coming junior Warrior cricketers striving to attain the highest levels."

The WA team to play Tasmania now reads as follows:

• Justin LANGER (Capt.)
• Jo ANGEL
• Ryan CAMPBELL
• Michael CLARK
• Murray GOODWIN
• Kade HARVEY
• Michael HUSSEY
• Simon KATICH
• Scott MEULEMAN
• Matthew NICHOLSON
• Marcus NORTH
• Brad OLDROYD

Standby - Luke RONCHI

Luke Ronchi has been taken to Hobart with the Western Warriors squad, on standby for Ryan Campbell. Ronchi's inclusion in the squad is a precautionary measure in the event that Ryan Campbell is unable to take his place in the team due to his injured left thigh.

Campbell suffered tightness in his left thigh late on Sunday afternoon during the Pura Cup game v the Victorian Bushrangers. As a consequence Campbell did not take the field for the remainder of the game and has since been receiving regular treatment from team Physiotherapist Ross Clifford.

Ross Clifford is in Hobart with the Warriors squad and will be providing regular treatment to Campbell in the hope of Campbell making a full recovery from injury in time to play the Tigers.

© 2002 Western Australian Cricket Association