DEAN MORGAN flew out to South Africa this week for his second spell of warm weather training as the pace hotted up for England's Commonwealth Games bowlers.

The squad, which also includes his Hampshire teammate Julian Haines as technical coach, will have practice games against Western Provinces and training sessions before rounding off their week with test matches against South Africa over the final two days. It is the team's second trip to South Africa, but whereas they were based at Durban during November when temperatures soared into the 90s, this time they are staying in Cape Town where it will be cooler.

Morgan is noticeably slimmer for this return visit having shed a stone under the squad's fitness regime.

He said: "It hasn't been hard work losing the weight - just a matter of exercise, eating the correct things and cutting out the junk. I feel a lot better for it and it has certainly helped my general fitness."

Lager is now a rarity on the diet of the 32-year-old Boscombe Cliff member.

After the Cape, the build-up continues with test matches against Wales at Llandrindodd Wells on May 4-6 and the following weekend the side are in Manchester not only to familiarise themselves with the Games' village but more importantly to have the first of several practice sessions on the green they will be using for the tournament which opens on Thursday, July 25.

A Test series follows on June 14-17 against the three other Home Countries and besides the British Isles International Series at Worthing on July 2-4, there will be other team training and bonding sessions leading up to the Games.

Never will an English bowls team have been better prepared for a major championship.

"Everything has gone really well so far - and hopefully we can return the favours by winning medals at Manchester," added Morgan, who will lead for Steve Farish (Cumbria) in the pairs.