Watson sends selectors a useful reminder

As a host of unsolicited selection suggestions arrive for the Test team, Shane Watson hit a timely 88 for Hampshire in the drawn County Championship match against Surrey at The Oval. The final Ashes Test starts at the same venue on September 8 and Watson has been touted to play as an allrounder to give Australia more bowling options.

Watson, who made his Test debut against Pakistan in January, lifted Hampshire from the early trouble of 2 for 3 during a 191-ball stay, but the side's chance of victory and a push back towards the top of the Division One table was restricted by opening-day rain. Andy Bichel, who did not bowl in the second innings, took a first-innings wicket but Watson did not make any impact with the ball, and Hampshire have dropped to fifth.

Mike Hussey also placed a reminder card with 92 in Durham's weather-affected match with Yorkshire. Hussey sits in second behind Andrew Symonds on the Division Two averages with 1074 runs at 76.71, while Phil Jaques, who clattered his fourth hundred of the summer, is fifth with 1359 at 64.71. Both are putting pressure on the out-of-form Matthew Hayden.

Jaques followed Durham's 414 with 172 from 241 balls, which included 26 fours and three sixes. Ian Harvey added 24 as Yorkshire declared at 475 to finish the match and Brad Williams, who replaced Mick Lewis, had figures of 0 for 80.

At Canterbury, Stuart Clark picked up 3 for 79 as Middlesex were hammered for 6 declared for 549 by Kent in the Division One. The match ended in a draw, but only after Middlesex were given a fright in the second innings. They held on to finish at 7 for 114 and are a spot behind Hampshire.

There was a rare failure for Andrew Symonds in the Division Two, but Stuart Law made up the difference with his second century of the season as Lancashire easily accounted for Worcestershire to keep a close eye on promotion. Law posted 143 in Lancashire's 562 at Blackpool while Symonds, who had three consecutive centuries before the match, made only 1 and Marcus North chipped in with 60. Symonds grabbed three wickets as Worcestershire fell for 376 and 113, strengthening Lancashire's hold on second place, six points behind Durham.

Only two innings were possible because of rain in Northamptonshire's game against Leicestershire at Leicester. Damien Wright took four wickets as Leicestershire reached 6 declared for 405 and Martin Love hit 13 fours in his 67 as Northants struggled to be all out for 261.