England players prepare for Twenty20 debuts

England's loss is county cricket's gain. Following their elimination from the NatWest Series, England's players are set for their first taste of Twenty20 cricket. The majority of the centrally contracted squad will be released in time to play in the final round of matches on July 15, while James Anderson and Ashley Giles will be allowed to participate in earlier matches as well.

The decision, made by Duncan Fletcher, is another boon for a competition that has taken off in style over the past week, and Lancashire fans will be especially pleased to see Andrew Flintoff back in action for their Roses clash at Headingley on July 14. Flintoff, however, will not be taking on his captain and Yorkshire counterpart Michael Vaughan - Vaughan has been ordered to rest until the semi-final of the C&G Trophy, against Gloucestershire on July 17.

Three centuries have already been scored in this season's Twenty20 Cup, and Flintoff and Somerset's Marcus Trescothick are among the likeliest contenders to emulate such a feat. Meanwhile, Steve Harmison and Paul Collingwood will both be turning out for Durham, with Harmison eager to disprove the theory that the 20-over format is no place for a bowler.

The first Test against West Indies begins at Lord's on July 22, and with that in mind, four of the players who were not involved in the NatWest Series - Mark Butcher, Graham Thorpe, Simon Jones and Matthew Hoggard - are all scheduled to play for MCC against West Indies at Arundel from July 13. Hoggard and Jones, who are on the comeback from injury, will be assessed nearer the time.