Footitt called up against team-mates

Mark Footitt, the Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer, has been called-up to play against his team-mates for MCC in the curtain-raiser to the domestic season, at Lord's, starting on Friday.

Footitt, 20, has been named as a replacement for Stuart Broad, the Leicestershire seamer, who has withdrawn because of injury. He joins the recent England Test players Alastair Cook and Monty Panesar in a four-day match against the defending county champions.

He said: "I'm honoured to have received the call and playing at Lord's against my team-mates is a great way to start the summer. I've never played there before and can't wait to walk on to the pitch. There's a bit of pressure on me as I want to show my colleagues and the coaching staff what I can do.

Footitt is regarded as one of the most exciting fast bowling prospects in the country and claimed 4 for 45 against Glamorgan on his first-class debut last season before being called up to the England Academy in the winter.

Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire's director of cricket, said: "This is the perfect opportunity for Mark to show his talents and I'm delighted he's received the call-up. There may be some banter flying about but I'm sure all the players will be telling him to give it 100 per cent.

"If he gets five wickets, then it's terrific for him and if he gets smacked around the park, it will be an important part of the learning process. It all adds to what was already going to be an excellent test for us and the ideal way to get our season started."