Jaques on collision course with ECB

The showdown between Phil Jaques and the England & Wales Cricket Board moved a step closer with the news that Jaques has signed a three-year deal with Northamptonshire despite being told that he is no longer regarded as an English-qualified player.

In 2003, Jacques, a 24-year-old Australian whose parents are English, turned out for Northants as a domestic player, but in October he made his debut for New South Wales. Under ECB regulations that meant his qualification status changed to that of an overseas player - as even those holding British or European passports are classified as overseas players if they appear in first-class cricket in their homeland in the preceding 12 months.

Jaques's lawyers have warned the ECB that they are prepared to take legal action unless their client is recognised as a domestic player. He has the backing of Northants, who are known to be keen to challenge the existing rules.

If the ECB backs down then it could open the floodgates to even more overseas players to play in England using their ancestral qualifications. And ff the board does not, then it seems likely to face a potentially expensive outing to the law courts.