Williams to lead Vadodara Ranji team against UP

Vadodara, Nov 3 (UNI) Opener Connor Williams will lead a strong Vadodara squad in its opening Ranji Trophy match against runners-up Uttar Pradesh, starting November 10 at the Motibaug Palace Ground here.

Apart from Vadodara's Pathan brothers -- Irfan and Yusuf, the selectors have included seamer Munaf Patel, left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar and middle-order batsman Azhar Bilakhia as the three ''guest players'' of Baroda Cricket Association Ranji squad for the 2008-09 season.

BCA sources said that although the association had roped in veteran Sri Lanka seamer Dilhara Fernando for the forthcoming Ranji Trophy championship, his name was not considered for the opening match following his country's pressing international engagements.

The 15-member squad announced today also had two promising new faces -- all-rounder Utkarsh Patel and keeper-batsman Rubin Dalwadi.

Team: Connor Williams (cap), Irfan Pathan (jr), Yusuf Pathan, Satyajit Parab, Azhar Bilakhia, Rakesh Solanki, Shantrunjay Gaekwad, Ketan Panchal, Pinal Shah (wk), Munaf Patel, Irfan Pathan (sr), Rajesh Pawar, Rubin Dalwadi, Salim Yusuf Veragi and Utkarsh Patel.

UNI SS RN PK AS2123