AGONY turned to ecstasy for Perriss Wilkins when he was named this morning in the England team for the Commonwealth Games.

The British discus record-holder thought he had blown his chances after finishing only fourth in Saturday's BUPA Games at Birmingham.

"I must admit I was a little surprised when I got a telephone call from one of the selectors yesterday," the Banbury Harrier declared.

"I didn't throw very well on Saturday, but he told me that if I could prove my fitness in the next few weeks then I would be in the team."

Wilkins revealed that he has been throwing for the last two months with a stress fracture of a foot, which he admits has been getting worse.

The 29-year-old set a new British mark of 66.64m last month, eclipsing his own record of 65.22 set last August, but he has struggled to get stiff competitive action and believes his throwing has suffered.

"I've not been able to take part in enough competitions," Wilkins said. "But now I will have to find more top events and because of the injury ensure I put more emphasis on quality training and not quantity."

There was further good news for Wilkins, who has been told he could still make next month's British team for the European Championships.

"There are still a few places up for grabs before the final squad is named on August 8," Wilkins revealed.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.