Dillon joy as Aussie Liz joins the Brits

Michelle Dillon has welcomed the recruitment of former Australian star Liz Blatchford to the British triathlon squad.

Dillon, who finished sixth at the Athens Olympics, was beaten into second place by British Championship winner Blatchford in yesterday's Great Liverpool triathlon.

Blatchford clocked a time of one hour, 54 minutes and 56 seconds to finish clear of Dillon (1:56:25) and former World Cup champion Leanda Cave (1:56:57).

After her win, Blatchford confirmed that although she holds dual nationality, it is her intention to compete at the 2006 Commonwealth Games for England.

The 24-year-old from Australia's Gold Coast also intends wearing British colours in future global championships events.

"She will add strength to the English team at the Games," said Dillon, herself from Queensland and already looking forward to the trip to Melbourne in 18 months' time.

Blatchford, who confessed it was a tough decision to switch countries, said: "I took out dual nationality in June. My mum (Ann) is from Salford while my father (Mike) was born in Inverness, and it was still a hard decision to make.

"I was always ranked third or fourth in Australia but didn't perform well in the (Olympic) selection race so decided to make the change."

Yesterday's men's event was won by Tim Don who, showing no hangovers from his 18th position in Athens, outsprinted Stuart Hayes.

Don won by two seconds in 1:48:27 with Richard Stannard claiming the bronze medal in 1:49:40.