HAMPSHIRE Seniors cricket team hope to raise vital funds for the Sri Lanka Cricket Relief Programme as they prepare to embark on a delayed tour of the country next month.

The 16-day tour had been originally scheduled for January but was postponed due to the devastating tsunami which hit the region on Boxing Day.

It has now been rearranged, with the players flying out on March 17, and an appeal fund set up to collect money and cricketing equipment for young cricketers in Sri Lanka whose lives have been changed so dramatically.

Vice-captain Michael Swain said: "The emphasis is obviously on the youth set-up because some of the kids out there have lost complete families as well as their possessions, so what we're trying to do is to make sure the Sri Lankan Cricket Association give our goods to the youngsters.

"We were due to go in January and they put us under a bit of pressure, saying 'you've got to come'. We didn't want to let them down so that's why we rescheduled it.

"We feel that everyone locally has done their bit in terms of giving money already but this is for a specific cause which we hope will give it a bit more focus."

The appeal has already received good support, with two companies - Lords International of Caerphilly and Southampton-based cricket equipment specialists, Holt and Haskell - pledging cricket kit to take out to Sri Lanka.

Bath Travel's Winchester Office, who helped organise the tour, have also donated to the appeal fund.

In addition, Cricket Telecom have pledged donations to the fund for any new business secured from supporters of Hampshire Seniors Cricket.

They have offered £25 for a free quotation on business telephone bills and £50 for any customers who switch to Cricket Telecom.

The appeal has already raised £5,000 and it is hoped that will rise to at least £10,000 before the tour begins.

The money will be presented to the Sri Lankan Cricket Board prior to the first tour match in Colombo and anybody interested in making a donation should contact Michael Swain on 01489 583037 or michael.swain@btinternet.com.

During the tour, the Hampshire team will play six 35-over matches and will face sides including several former Test players, which Swain admits is a daunting prospect.

"It's a bit frightening really!" he conceded. "Firstly we're out of season, and secondly as you get older life becomes a bit harder on the cricket field although we've got a lot of former county second XI players who have still kept their eye in."

Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has praised the fundraising efforts of the team, saying: "The efforts of the Hampshire Seniors Cricket Team and Cricket Telecom to raise further funds will be much valued as the re-development of cricket and the area continues."

Hampshire Seniors will be in Sri Lanka at the same time as the England A side and the veterans intend to watch at least two of their games during their time in Colombo. There will also be a cocktail party for the squad at the British High Commission.