Injury scares haunt Warwickshire

Three Warwickshire players are taking an injury break from their latest Championship game against Middlesex at Edgbaston leading to concerns about their availability for next week's NatWest Trophy title clash with Gloucestershire at Lord's.

Pace spearhead Allan Donald is returning from South Africa today after having treated a niggling heel problem. The 33-year-old Donald had fractured his ribs after colliding with a boundary fence at Southampton three months ago in a frustrating last season in county cricket. Ed Giddins and Nick Knight have also been hampered by back and knee injuries respectively.

Warwickshire's hopes of gaining promotion to the first division next season have been affected by unfriendly weather with rain washing out the second day of their game against Middlesex. Mark Ramprakash has been stranded on his overnight score of 77, seven short of a personal landmark of 1000 runs.