The wicketkeeper was confirmed as skipper of a 15-strong squad this week but just 48 hours later gave a press conference in Hobart, admitting "a private text exchange" with a former colleague at Cricket Tasmania. "First and foremost, I never thought he wouldn't be there," said Botham, who is chairman of Stokes' county, Durham. "And that's not inside information, because we didn't see him at Durham until after the second operation. Shane Lowry will be defending the title he won at Royal Portrush two years ago but most of the leading players in the world will be in Sandwich to challenge for the Claret Jug. are looking to seal their qualification from Groups E and F respectively.