KENT fast bowler Martin Saggers is hoping he may just be in the right place at the right time after being selected in England’s 30-strong squad for the 2003 Cricket World Cup.

The 30-year-old paceman from Norfolk will know by December 31 if he is to make the cut into England’s final 15-man party to contest next year’s event in South Africa, but in the meantime he intends to let the cricket ball do his talking.

Saggers heard the news of his shock selection while in South Africa playing for Johannesburg-based club side Randburg, so is hoping his local knowledge may help sway the selectors.

“I came here because I wanted to keep myself fit in case of any injuries Down Under but it may work out that being here may help me get into the World Cup side,” said Saggers. “I’ve been playing for Randburg since 1996, which means I know the conditions, the wickets and alike.

“I’m hoping to persuade Kent to let me come out here again after Christmas to give myself every chance of being ready. With all their injuries at the moment I had hoped to get an Ashes call, but I’m remaining optimistic and am striving hard to play for England.”

The former Durham swing bowler, who finished the 2002 campaign as the country’s joint leading wicket-taker, had one brief taste of international recognition this Autumn and is hungry for more. “I played just one match in the Hong Kong sixes and although I’d hoped for more involvement it was still an honour and I enjoyed the experience,” he added.

“I’m fighting fit and I’m taking plenty of wickets out here, so I don’t really think I could be doing a lot more."