DUNCOMBE PARK'S former overseas player Travis Friend is making his mark in Zimbabwe's one-day international squad.

He was in the side today which lost by one wicket to West Indies in a thriller in the Carlton Series match in Brisbane, Australia.

He has followed his York and District Senior Cricket League overseas predecessor at Helmsley, Gary Brent, into the Zimbabwe team.

After Zimbabwe posted 240 for 9 quick bowler Friend was the pick of his team's attack with figures of 10-1-37-2, capturing the wickets of Wavell Hinds and Laurie Williams.

But Ricardo Powell's unbeaten 83 saw the Windies scrape home on 241 for 9 with eight balls to spare.

The West Indies side included Mahendra Nagamootoo, cousin of Dunnington's ex-West Indies star Alvin Kallicharran.

Earlier this week Friend played a crucial role in Zimbabwe's one-day series winning victory over New Zealand in front of 15,000 fans in Auckland on his 20th birthday.

Friend, who gained his first one-day call up in September, was in the side that beat the Kiwis in the opening game of the series.

New Zealand levelled the series in the second game, in which Friend did not play, but he featured in the third and final match at Eden Park.

At Duncombe Park a back injury prevented him from bowling to his full potential, but this winter he has been back to his quickest.

It was in his role as batsman that he helped Zimbabwe to a stunning one-wicket win in the final game against the Kiwis. He put on 69 with match-winner Heath Streak (79) for the eighth wicket, Friend's contribution being a vital 19.

Easingwold player Martin Piercy made his first appearance in first-grade cricket in Australia as substitute for Sydney-based club Balmain.

Piercy, who is spending the winter Down Under, has played regularly for Balmain's third team with occasional second-team appearances.

Balmain's first-team opener is Matthew Schenke, who was Easingwold's overseas player last season and played a major part in the club winning the York League.

Schenke's co-opener at Balmain is Greg Everest, who was Stamford Bridge's overseas star last summer.