GARETH EDWARDS has been selected to skipper the Welsh representative team at the International Masters Cricket Over 40s World Cup in South Africa.

The former Glamorgan spinner, who now plays for the Bury-based Elton team, said: “It is an absolute honour to be captaining Wales on the international stage.

“As anyone who knows me knows, I am the proudest of Welshmen despite having been living on the ‘dark side’ for a number of years now. We are going into the tournament undoubtedly as one of the underdogs, but you never know!

“I am looking forward immensely to the experience as I’ll be honest, I did think my representative cricket days were behind me as I reach the latter stages of my career. It is also brilliant to know that everyone at Elton will be cheering me and the boys along.”

Born in 1976, and originally from Ruthin, Edwards was at Glamorgan for several years at the same time as players such as Robert Croft, Matthew Maynard and Waqar Younis.

He represented England U19s on their Zimbabwe tour in 1995/96 alongside players such as Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard, under England coach and ex-Lancashire favourite David Lloyd.

Edwards has represented Elton since 2015 taking over 300 wickets.

Wales have been drawn in Pool B along with New Zealand, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka and the UAE with the competition kicking off on Saturday in Cape Town.

Wales’ opening game will be against hosts South Africa next Monday.