Cornwall County Cricket Club have announced their new professional for the 2000 season. The former Middlesex, Essex and England bowler Neil Williams has signed a contract to play for the County. Neil Fitzgerald Williams is a 37 year old right arm fast, medium bowler and right hand bat.

He was born on the Windward Island of St Vincent and one of his best schoolfriends was Ian Allen the West Indian Test Player who was St Buryan's professional in recent years. He made his first class debut for Middlesex in 1982, was capped in 1984 and received a benefit in 1994 before moving to play for Essex for four seasons in 1995 to 98.

He played one Test match against India at the Oval in 1990 taking 2-148 in India's first innings of 608-9 dec. He picked up the wickets of top batsmen Mohammed Azharuddin and Sachine Tendulkar (Ravi Shastri made 187 and Kapil Devil 110). Williams was promoted up to order to act as nightwatchman when Mike Atherton fell shortly before the close of the second day and went on to make 38 in a second wicket stand of 74 with Graham Gooch. England followed on 268 behind but 157 no from David Gower and half centuries from Gooch, Atherton and Lamb saw England make 477-4 to draw the match.

In his First Class career he took over 650 wickets with his best figures being 8-75 for Middlesex v Glos at Lord's in 1992 (12-139 in the match). He took 50 wickets in a season on three occasions - most 63 in 1983. His highest score was 77 for Middlesex v Warwicks at Edgbaston in 1991. He has also played first class cricket for his native Windward Islands and Tasmania.

Cornwall's season starts on Tuesday 2nd May with the First Round Nat West Trophy tie at home to Norfolk at Truro.

Youth Cricket Managers are reminded that Cornwall entries in both the Sun Life of Canada U 15 and Subaru U 13 National Competitions close on 14th February. Entries to Dave Davis, 'Holly House', United Downs, St Day, Redruth TR16 5JA. Tel: 01209 821482.

Indoor Cricket at Lux Park - Menheniot 69-5 (A Taylor 25, S Taylor 18), Liskeard 70 for 3 in 6.1 overs (P Gilliat 25 no). Liskeard won by 3 wickets.

Tideford 146-4, Looe 63-6. Tideford won by 83 runs.

Duloe 161-3 (J Massey 25 n.o., R Lewis 48 n.o., L Harrison 38 n.o.), Morval 92-6 (C James 28). Duloe won by 69 runs.

Stoke 117-5 (J Kidd 40, C Bennett 32), St Neot 102-6 (T Pierce 50). Stoke won by 15 runs.