Lancashire looking to close the gap on Surrey
Surrey v Kent, The Oval A rainy final day against Middlesex denied Surrey the chance to push for their third consecutive Championship victory, but they will be strong favourites to make amends against Kent, who have yet to record a Championship
Wisden CricInfo staff
01-Jul-2003
Frizzell County Championship Division One
Surrey v Kent, The Oval
A rainy final day against Middlesex denied Surrey the chance to push for their third consecutive Championship victory, but they will be strong favourites to make amends against Kent, who have yet to record a Championship victory this season. Surrey have one injury concern - Azhar Mahmood is still struggling with a thigh strain - but otherwise they have a full complement of players. Kent are likely to keep faith with the team that picked up 10 points in a rain-affected draw against Essex. Amjad Khan and Min Patel are continuing to recuperate in the second XI, while Martin Saggers is still sidelined following knee surgery.
A rainy final day against Middlesex denied Surrey the chance to push for their third consecutive Championship victory, but they will be strong favourites to make amends against Kent, who have yet to record a Championship victory this season. Surrey have one injury concern - Azhar Mahmood is still struggling with a thigh strain - but otherwise they have a full complement of players. Kent are likely to keep faith with the team that picked up 10 points in a rain-affected draw against Essex. Amjad Khan and Min Patel are continuing to recuperate in the second XI, while Martin Saggers is still sidelined following knee surgery.
Essex v Lancashire, Chelmsford
The up-and-coming young seamer, Sajid Mahmood - one of the 15 players named in a shortlist for this winter's ECB Academy - has been named in Lancashire's squad as they aim to close the gap on Surrey at the top of Division One. Andrew Flintoff and James Anderson are both missing due to England commitments, while Iain Sutcliffe is continuing his recuperation from a broken cheekbone. Essex are fourth in the table, but they have won only one Championship match all season.
The up-and-coming young seamer, Sajid Mahmood - one of the 15 players named in a shortlist for this winter's ECB Academy - has been named in Lancashire's squad as they aim to close the gap on Surrey at the top of Division One. Andrew Flintoff and James Anderson are both missing due to England commitments, while Iain Sutcliffe is continuing his recuperation from a broken cheekbone. Essex are fourth in the table, but they have won only one Championship match all season.
Leicestershire v Warwickshire, Grace Road
The left-arm seamer Matt Whiley has been added to Leicestershire's squad ahead of Warwickshire's visit to Grace Road, as they attempt to haul themselves off the foot of the first division table. Virender Sehwag gave them a timely boost by returning to form with 137 against Nottinghamshire, although Leicestershire's eventual first-innings total of 243 was a disappointment. For Warwickshire, the Kenyan legspinner Collins Obuya is doubtful with a knee injury. Neil Smith stands by.
The left-arm seamer Matt Whiley has been added to Leicestershire's squad ahead of Warwickshire's visit to Grace Road, as they attempt to haul themselves off the foot of the first division table. Virender Sehwag gave them a timely boost by returning to form with 137 against Nottinghamshire, although Leicestershire's eventual first-innings total of 243 was a disappointment. For Warwickshire, the Kenyan legspinner Collins Obuya is doubtful with a knee injury. Neil Smith stands by.
Frizzell County Championship Division Two
Northamptonshire v Hampshire, Wantage Road
Damien Wright is in line for his Northamptonshire debut against Hampshire, as a replacement for Andre Nel, who is involved with the South Africa squad during the NatWest Series. And despite the success of their three-pronged spin attack against Derbyshire, Monty Panesar is likely to sit out this match. Hampshire will be missing Alan Mullally (hamstring) and Chris Tremlett (foot), while is Ed Giddins is rested. Wasim Akram is another bowler under a slight injury cloud, although he is expected to play despite a bruised foot.
Damien Wright is in line for his Northamptonshire debut against Hampshire, as a replacement for Andre Nel, who is involved with the South Africa squad during the NatWest Series. And despite the success of their three-pronged spin attack against Derbyshire, Monty Panesar is likely to sit out this match. Hampshire will be missing Alan Mullally (hamstring) and Chris Tremlett (foot), while is Ed Giddins is rested. Wasim Akram is another bowler under a slight injury cloud, although he is expected to play despite a bruised foot.
Worcestershire v Durham, Worcester
Shoaib Akhtar will make his Championship debut as Durham attempt to inflict Worcestershire's first defeat of the season. Worcestershire themselves are hamstrung by the absence of four key players. Graeme Hick's broken hand will keep him out for a further fortnight, while Steve Rhodes is still recovering from a hamstring injury. Vikram Solanki and Kabir Ali, meanwhile, are on England duty. For Durham, Liam Plunkett returns at the expense of Ian Hunter, while Nicky Peng makes way for Martin Love, who playing his last game before joining up with the Australian Test squad.
Shoaib Akhtar will make his Championship debut as Durham attempt to inflict Worcestershire's first defeat of the season. Worcestershire themselves are hamstrung by the absence of four key players. Graeme Hick's broken hand will keep him out for a further fortnight, while Steve Rhodes is still recovering from a hamstring injury. Vikram Solanki and Kabir Ali, meanwhile, are on England duty. For Durham, Liam Plunkett returns at the expense of Ian Hunter, while Nicky Peng makes way for Martin Love, who playing his last game before joining up with the Australian Test squad.
Somerset v Glamorgan, Taunton
Gloucestershire's captain, Mark Alleyne, has recovered from a side strain and returns to the side for their trip to Taunton, but Jack Russell remains out of action with a broken thumb. Somerset are without a host of first-choice names. Ian Blackwell has a back injury while Peter Bowler has yet to recover from being struck in the throat during Monday's 10-wicket defeat by Yorkshire. Marcus Trescothick is on international duty with England, while Andrew Caddick will not play again this season due to a slipped disc in his back.
Gloucestershire's captain, Mark Alleyne, has recovered from a side strain and returns to the side for their trip to Taunton, but Jack Russell remains out of action with a broken thumb. Somerset are without a host of first-choice names. Ian Blackwell has a back injury while Peter Bowler has yet to recover from being struck in the throat during Monday's 10-wicket defeat by Yorkshire. Marcus Trescothick is on international duty with England, while Andrew Caddick will not play again this season due to a slipped disc in his back.
Derbyshire v Yorkshire, Derby
Dominic Cork faces a late fitness test on his injured ankle, to determine whether he will return to bowling duties after being limited to a batting role for the past fortnight. Neil Gunter and Nathan Dumelow are expected to contest the final bowling berth. Yorkshire, meanwhile, are expected to keep faith with the XI that overwhelmed Somerset by 10 wickets on Monday. Andy Gray has again been preferred to Richard Dawson following his maiden first-class hundred at Taunton, and Tim Bresnan will continue the 12th-man duties.
Dominic Cork faces a late fitness test on his injured ankle, to determine whether he will return to bowling duties after being limited to a batting role for the past fortnight. Neil Gunter and Nathan Dumelow are expected to contest the final bowling berth. Yorkshire, meanwhile, are expected to keep faith with the XI that overwhelmed Somerset by 10 wickets on Monday. Andy Gray has again been preferred to Richard Dawson following his maiden first-class hundred at Taunton, and Tim Bresnan will continue the 12th-man duties.