SURPRISE call-up Jamie Baulch (pictured) admitted the first person he rang on hearing of his shock 400m place in Great Britain's World Championship squad was friend and rival Iwan Thomas.

Despite both runners failing to achieve the qualifying mark this year, Baulch took the final spot behind Daniel Caines and Mark Richardson after Thomas just missed the qualification time for Edmonton by a tenth of a second.

Having made the qualifying mark of 42.75 secs at last year's Olympic trials, which put him in the squad ahead of Thomas, Baulch was training hard at Cardiff's UWIC facilities yesterday and although beaten twice by Thomas this season, he said he is determined to take his opportunity.

Having heard the news on Monday afternoon, Baulch said: "When I found out, the first person I rang was Iwan.

"He was disappointed, but I have to take my chance and go for it."

Both Baulch and Thomas are in the GB 4x400m squad, but while the pair fly to Canada on Sunday, Baulch admits he has it all to do to make the 400m final, but pointed to the improved form of Richardson who knocked a second off his season's best in a time of 45.22 secs at Crystal Palace.

He said: "I am one of these athletes who either runs really well or terribly at a major championships.

"I feel privileged, I have achieved the qualifying standard and I am delighted to be given the chance to run."

Sporting a temporary wacky hair style - a cross between Macy Gray and the Mad Professor - with a new dread-lock style put in yesterday afternoon, Baulch is determined to do his talking on the track.

He said: "I ran badly at Crystal Palace, but it was still my fastest race of the season. The back is better, it's 95% fine and I have trained hard in the winter.

"The field for the 400m is wide open and no-one is clear favourite, it promises to be a good championship."