Middlesex to use McGrath sparingly

Middlesex have been told by the powers that be at Cricket Australia that Glenn McGrath must miss two Championship matches, including the current one at Worcester, and a one-day game. McGrath, who made a successful return to the Australian side against Sri Lanka earlier this month, is on a one-month contract as a replacement for Lance Klusener while he is away on international duty with South Africa .

Cricket Australia are concerned that McGrath should not be over-used, as he has just recovered from an ankle injury which kept him out of action during the Australian summer. McGrath made his Middlesex debut on Wednesday, taking 1 for 50 in a National League defeat to Worcestershire, for whom he played in 2000. In a statement, Middlesex said they are committed to playing him for the rest of "a busy and important month".

Ajit Agarkar, the Indian allrounder, made his county debut for Middlesex in the same game as McGrath, but made a shaky start, bowling seven wides and failing to take a single wicket. After being cleared by the Indian national board, Agarkar is playing as a replacement for Nantie Hayward, who is also on international duty with South Africa, for the next month.