Andy Flower pads up for the Blues

The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) has announced that West End Redbacks recruit Andy Flower has chosen the Sturt District Cricket Club as his Grade club for season 2003-04.

Signed to play with the West End Redbacks for the next three seasons, Flower chose Sturt primarily for its close proximity to Adelaide Oval.

Flower is the first international player signed to the Redbacks since England's Gladstone Small played for West Torrens in 1985-86, to play Grade cricket in South Australia.

The Sturt District Cricket Club approached Flower earlier this year and anticipates that he will be involved in supporting junior programs at the club.

Expected to arrive in Adelaide at the beginning of October, Flower should be available to play his first game for Sturt on October 11, with the possibility of playing 12 out of 25 days of Grade cricket with the club.

Although not a part of Flower's decision-making, Redbacks coach Wayne Phillips played cricket for the Sturt District Cricket Club for about 22 years.

The SACA's cricket operations manager, Harvey Jolly, said the decision by Flower would be a real boost to the club.

"Sturt are a mature cricket club, with an impressive history and an excellent development program in place. I'm sure the club will take this opportunity to ensure Andy's presence around the club helps to boost the enthusiasm of its players, particularly its younger cricketers."

"There is no doubt that Andy's participation will see an overall boost to the Grade competition in South Australia, and we would also expect to see the interest level in the competition grow."