Lancashire sign Mongia on short-term deal

India's one-day batsman, Dinesh Mongia, has joined Lancashire on a short-term basis as a replacement for the injured Carl Hooper, and makes his debut against Warwickshire in today's championship fixture at Stratford-upon-Avon.

Mongia, 27, is regarded by India as a one-day specialist, and has yet to play Test cricket despite 48 ODI appearances, including the World Cup final against Australia in 2003. This season, he has been playing club cricket in England in an attempt to regain his place, and back in May, he actually played for Staffordshire against Lancashire in the C&G Trophy, scoring 31 and picking up two wickets with his left-arm spin.

Hooper, who scored 66 in Lancashire's defeat against Yorkshire on Tuesday, will be sidelined for at least three weeks after fracturing a thumb during that game.