Bevan facing fitness fight

Michael Bevan is back at Grace Road after playing for Australia in the one-day series against Pakistan over the last three weeks.

But he may not be in the side against Nottinghamshire Outlaws in Sunday's Norwich Union League game at Trent Bridge.

Leicestershire coach Phil Whitticase revealed: "Bevan is still nursing a groin injury and at the moment his chances of being fit for Sunday are 50-50.

"I would like him to play because it is an important match for us, but there is no point in taking risks. He certainly expects to be ready for the Championship match against Lancashire which starts at Grace Road next Wednesday. But we will see how he progresses in the next day or so, and if he can play at Trent Bridge he will.

"We have certainly missed him while he has been away because he is a world class batsman. But that is no disrespect to Grant Flower who has stood in for Michael. Grant has done an excellent job for us as the overseas player, and it is not his fault that we have lost our way a little bit in recent games.

"But there were a lot of positives from our performance against India in the one-day game on Wednesday, and I think we can build on that for the second-half of the season."

One player who impressed in that match was Rob Cunliffe who has had few opportunites so far because of injury. Whitticase said: "Rob batted very well at the end of our innings and has certainly put himself into contention for Sunday. We may well look at playing an extra batsman as we did on many occasions last season. If we decide to do that Rob is in with a good chance of being included."