BACUP stalwart Roger Harper and Ramsbottom pro Chris Harris have been named in their countries' squads for next month's World Cup.

The two stars, back at Lanehead and Acre Bottom for the 1996 season, join Rishton's Allan Donald in Cricket's showpiece event, joining a host of top names with Lancashire League experience.

Kiwi coach Glenn Turner said Harris was a useful hitter, dynamic fielder and a much improved bowler who had proved highly economical in the domestic Shell Cup competition.

He joins former Enfield pro Gavin Larsen and Dipak Patel, who enjoyed a spell at Accrington, in the New Zealand squad.

They meet England at Ahmedabad on February 14, and will be without star batsman Martin Crowe, who announced his retirement last week due to a persistent knee injury.

Unsettled star Brian Lara has also been included in West Indies' 14-strong squad, which features former Ramsbottom pro Keith Arthurton and ex-Accrington paid-man Sherwin Campbell.

But Phil Simmons, who helped Rishton to last year's title, is a shock omission.

Lara was at the centre of controversy following his last-minute withdrawal from the recent World Series in Australia, a triangular tournament from which West Indies made an early exit.

But he was always a likely choice after he declared his intentions to return to international cricket.

The squad announcement by the West Indies Cricket Board of Control suggested he may not have been automatically embraced by the selectors, however. "Brian Lara was written to by the chairman of the selection committee regarding his involvement in several recent incidents and requesting reassurance of his future commitment to the team, and his loyalty to his fellow players," said the WIBC in a statement.

"In his response, the player restated his commitment to West Indies cricket and his respect and admiration of the West Indian community.

"He further added that if selected to play, he would endeavour to perform to the best of his ability."

The selectors also recalled middle-order batsman Keith Arthurton, who was omitted from recent series in Sharjah and Australia, and kept faith with wicket-keeper Courtney Browne.

Openers Phil Simmons and Stuart Williams and fast bowler Andy Cummins have been dropped, leaving one specialist opener and four fast bowlers.

In eight innings during the recent World Series, there was no partnership above 20 runs, and none of the three openers used - Sherwin Campbell, Simmons and Williams - managed a half-century.

Campbell keeps his position, and Lara, as he has done successfully in the past, captain Richie Richardson or Carl Hooper could be asked to go in first.

Barbadian Roland Holder gained the nod for one of the middle-order batting slots, and the versatile Jimmy Adams was picked despite a recent run of low scores.

Promising Shivnarine Chanderpaul is the other front-line batsman in the squad while experienced all-rounder Roger Harper is the only specialist spinner.

The fast-bowling quartet is headed by the experienced Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, supported by Ian Bishop and fast-emerging former Glamorgan man Ottis Gibson.s=7l=7.5os=7l=7.5o

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