Croft still hopeful of Sri Lanka call-up

Robert Croft has not yet given up hope of travelling to Sri Lanka with England this winter. Croft was originally put on standby for the tour, which starts in November, but he has made it clear that he is available if required.

According the Western Mail, Croft had a chat with David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors, at the Professional Cricketers' Association dinner on Monday night. "I had a couple of beers with David Graveney the other evening and we spoke about a few issues," Croft said. "He said he's going to be in touch with me over the next couple of days with regards to how he thinks I should plan if I am selected."

And Croft insisted he would be ready and raring to go if required: "I told him that I'll be working hard. I've been asked to go out to the Hong Kong Sixes at the end of October and that's something to look forward to. But I'd love to go to Sri Lanka again and I'm going to keep myself fit. David stressed that whoever goes must be in the best shape possible."

Croft toured Sri Lanka in 2000-01 and took nine wickets in the three-Test series, which England won 2-1, and he admitted that not being picked in the original squad this time round was hard to take at first. "Two weeks ago there was a little bit of hurt involved. But over the last week or so my winter has panned out - I've been asked to do a few things - and I'm feeling a lot happier."