NFL Blows Chance To Do Public Good

I'm like most sports fans who like to keep sports and politics as far apart as possible.

Not always possible.

It's like Dave Zirin wrote in his book Game Over: How Politics Has Turned the Sports World Upside Down: "Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, a politically charged atmosphere pervades all of professional sports."

So, you'll forgive me for mixing a little politics with football.

Plus, it's July.

This little story deals with how the NFL could have helped out informing the public about the Affordable Care Act, but went all scaredy-cat on us when it got a nasty letter from a couple of Senators.

Feel free to offer your cogent and incisive thoughts.

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Hogan & Wallace secure Glamorgan win

Glamorgan 132-2 (17.4 overs) beat Warwickshire 126-8 (20 overs) by eight wickets

Mark Wallace hit an unbeaten 69 to guide Glamorgan to victory over Warwickshire and maintain their unbeaten start in the FLt20.

Warwickshire were restricted to 126-8 at Rugby, with Varun Chopra (30) top-scoring as Michael Hogan returned figures of 3-11 for the visitors.

Glamorgan looked comfortable with the bat despite losing Jim Allenby (24) and Chris Cooke (19) in their run chase.

Murray Goodwin (17no) hit the winning runs with a six off Laurie Evans.

Glamorgan, with three wins from three, move to the top of the Midlands, Wales & West Group while Warwickshire have now lost their opening three games.

Edward Bevan of BBC Radio Wales: "This was a wonderful performance by the Glamorgan bowlers. Michael Hogan was quite incredible, his figures of 3-11 from four overs reflect the excellence of his bowling.

"A quick opening stand of 33 between Allenby and Wallace set the tone for the chase, and Wallace's innings of 69 was a match-winner as they won by eight wickets with 14 balls to spare."

Match scorecard

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Lumb knock sets up Notts victory

Nottinghamshire 156-2 (15.3 overs) beat Durham 154-4 (20 overs) by eight wickets

Michael Lumb scored 96 off 52 balls to help Nottinghamshire to a comfortable eight-wicket FLt20 win at Durham.

The 33-year-old shared an opening partnership of 91 with Alex Hales (34) before Hales fell to Gareth Breese's first ball in the ninth over.

Lumb, who hit 14 fours and three sixes, was stumped off the bowling of Scott Borthwick, leaving James Taylor and David Hussey to see Notts home.

Earlier, Mark Stoneman (51) and Borthwick (44) guided Durham to 154-4.

Jake Ball (2-21) and Hussey (2-23) impressed with the ball for Notts, who registered their fourth victory to maintain their 100% start in the North Group.

Australian Hussey hit the winning runs, blasting a six off Ben Stokes, to wrap up victory with 27 balls remaining.

Match scorecard

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The making of an England batting great

By Sam Sheringham BBC Sport When Alastair Cook's prowess as a choirboy won him a music scholarship to Bedford School, his brief was to sing rather than to bat.

But all that changed one summer's day in 1998 when Marylebone Cricket Club turned up for a match against the Bedford first XI one player short.

Fourteen-year-old Cook, already a promising club cricketer, was drafted in as an emergency replacement and proceeded to score a century.

The innings was the harbinger of a prodigious talent that saw him go on to shatter Bedford's batting records, establish himself in the Essex first team at the age of 18 and as an England opener at 21.

60 & 104 not out - scores on his Test debut v India in March 2006, aged 21 294 - highest Test score, against India at Edgbaston in August 2011 766 - cumulative runs in the 2010-11 Ashes series 61.96 - Test batting average in 32 matches since the start of the 2010-11 Ashes series, with 12 centuries 1,311 - number of runs in 11 Tests as captain, with seven centuries at an average of 69 Joint 16th in the all-time list of Test centurions with 25. India's Sachin Tendulkar leads the way with 51 Now, as he prepares to captain England in the Ashes against Australia, which start on Wednesday, it is fascinating to go back to Cook's school years - before the 7,524 Test runs, the 25 centuries and the countless accolades - to examine the evolution of a modern-day batting great.

During those prolific years at Bedford, the best seat in the house was reserved for Will Notley, Cook's partner at the top of the batting order.

Notley picks up the story from the aftermath of the MCC match, when the Cook was immediately promoted to the first XI, which meant competing against boys four years his senior.

"He was a lot smaller back then and a lot slighter," explains Notley. "He wasn't 6ft 2in like he is now and he got a lot of grief because he struggled to hit the ball off the square.

"But what he lacked in strength he made up for in temperament. He was quite unflappable and as a 14-year-old playing against 18-year-olds you have to have some pretty good concentration.

"He's always been good off the back foot, so he is at home cutting and pulling. All the 18-year-olds would try to bounce him out and he would just hook them for four."

One of Cook's greatest attributes is his ability to score heavily in sweltering conditions. Reputed to sweat less than any other member of the England team, five of his six highest Test scores have come in Brisbane, Kolkata, Sydney, Ahmedabad and Chittagong.

As Notley explains, Cook's ability to thrive in the heat was in evidence when they played together at a tournament in Barbados at the age of 15.

"Cooky batted well through the whole competition, scored a couple of hundreds and kept his concentration amazingly well in quite intense heat," says Notley.

Cook unfurls his trademark sweep shot for Bedford School in a match at Stowe in 2002

"He puffed and panted like the rest of us, but he had a determination not to get out, just like he does now."

By the time Cook reached the sixth form, he was a member of the Essex Academy and being groomed for life in professional cricket.

Every morning, Bedford coach and former England batsman Derek Randall would get on the first train from Nottingham to run fitness sessions and bowling machines with his protege before breakfast.

Meanwhile, out in the middle, Cook - with Notley in his slipstream - was starting to go through the gears.

In the lower sixth, he scored more than 1,100 runs, including five consecutive hundreds, and was picked out in Wisden as "one to watch". The following summer, his tally of 1,287 included two double hundreds and broke a school record that had stood since the early 1980s.

Over the two years, Cook and Notley's average opening partnership was 126. Their finest hour came in the upper sixth against Gordonstoun - another independent school renowned for sporting achievement - when they batted for the full 50 overs to put on 333, a record opening stand in schoolboy cricket at the time.

Cook (left) and Notley pose proudly in front of the scoreboard depicting their record opening stand

During the partnership, which saw Cook finish on 206 and Notley 111, Cook revealed a trait that has characterised many a great batsman - greed.

"Cook scored almost double the runs I got against Gordonstoun, but part of the reason was that he farmed the strike so well," recalls Notley.

"There was a period in the middle of the innings where he had five consecutive overs. I faced nothing in that period and eventually stopped talking to him between overs as a kind of friendly protest.

"We started talking between overs again once we went through 300 though, which also brought up my century."

Inevitably, there were times when Notley failed to stay the course and simply had to marvel at the blend of mental strength and technical skill that have served Cook so well in an England shirt.

"We could be three down for not many, chasing 280, and he would steer it through, scoring 150 to win us the game," he adds.

"He did it so often that we always knew he was going to go on, but to reach the level he has now, we couldn't predict that."

Away from the cricket field, Notley describes Cook as "one of the boys" who would enjoy a beer and "dossed around in economics lessons like the rest of us".

Cook congratulates James Kettleborough on breaking his Bedford runs record

After leaving school with three A-levels, Cook was drafted straight into the Essex first team, while Notley went to university to read architecture.

The pair have remained close friends, occasionally meeting up after Cook's matches in London or at old boys' functions at the school.

In 2010, Cook even made a special trip to Bedford between Test matches to congratulate James Kettleborough as he eclipsed Cook's own school record. "Even though he had 4,500 Test runs at the time, I think he was secretly quite annoyed that it had been broken," says Notley.

As for Cook's former accomplice, he recently qualified as an architect and plays for Hornsey Cricket Club in north London at weekends.

Having long given up hope of following his friend into professional cricket, he still dines out on his schoolboy exploits with the England skipper.

"I think I outscored him 10 times and I certainly get a lot of pleasure from telling the lads that," he says. "Mind you, the way I've been batting this season, I think they are beginning to wonder if I made it all up."

Live radio commentary from Test Match Special (TMS) on the Ashes will be available on BBC Radio 4 LW and BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, the BBC Sport website and via the BBC Sport app and iPlayer radio app.

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Azharullah relishes English chance

Northants bowler Muhammad Azharullah says he is making up for lost time now that he is in the club's first team.

The 29-year-old has taken eight wickets in three YB40 matches, seven wickets in two County Championship games and 3-23 in the Steelbacks' Twenty20 opener.

He told BBC Radio Northampton: "I started playing cricket in Pakistan in 2006 and [had to take] three years off.

"I got married in Yorkshire and you have to wait [that long] to play first-class cricket here."

Azharullah added: "Northants is a wonderful club with wonderful people."

His form with the ball has helped to lessen the blow of losing Australian bowler Trent Copeland.

"Copeland was exceptional," said Azharullah, who was recommended to Northants by Ralph Middlebrook, father of spinner James Middlebrook.

"But I've been through it before, playing with test cricketers, so I just do what I do best. I forget who I'm coming for and who was playing before me."

Azharullah played for Multan Region, Multan Tigers, Quetta Bears and the Water and Power Development Authority in Pakistan prior to his move to England and appearances for the Northants Second XI.

"The Water and Power Development Authority is very good first-class team. We had the likes of Rana Naved and Junaid Khan," he said.

"It was where I made most of my progress. To stay in the fast bowling attack, I had to work hard.

"It's quite flat surfaces there, so if you don't have these skills, you don't do very well.

"When I came here, I played in Yorkshire for [Ralph Middlebrook's club] Pudsey Congs and I came and trialled with Northants in the winter.

"I had to push myself to get into the team but I'm really happy with the way the team is performing and the spirit in the team."

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Banned bowler in corruption pledge

4 July 2013 Last updated at 13:37 GMT Mervyn Westfield served eight weeks in jail for taking a corrupt spot-bet payment Banned cricketer Mervyn Westfield, jailed for spot-fixing, has pledged to help fight corruption in the game.

The 25-year-old served eight weeks for taking a corrupt payment for a match in 2009, between Essex and Durham.

The Old Bailey last year heard the Essex bowler was paid £6,000 after agreeing to bowl an over to let Durham score a set number of runs.

Westfield said he now wants to educate young cricketers not to repeat his mistakes.

Westfield said: "I'm sorry for what I've done.

" I just want to put it right now and help identify the clear dangers that exist.

'Powerful tools'

"Cricket has been my life since I was six and it's all that I know, what I love and what I live for. I have missed playing so much.

''I hope people can forgive my actions and maybe even find it in themselves to understand how difficult I've found it to cope with every step of this affair.

"I will now do all I can to help the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) and others to educate cricketers, especially young ones, to ensure nobody else has to go through what I have."

He says he will be working with the PCA in creating tutorials, attending pre-season meetings and the annual mandatory Rookie Camp.

Westfield is banned from first-class cricket until 2017.

Jason Ratcliffe, PCA assistant chief executive, said, "[Westfield's] personal insight will now complement our existing anti-corruption tutorials and be one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against corruption within cricket."

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Clarke stars as Australia dominate

Tour match, Worcester (day three of four):

Australia 396-4 dec & 344-5 v Worcestershire 284 & 64-1

Captain Michael Clarke smashed 124 from 98 balls as Australia dominated the penultimate day of their final Ashes warm-up game against Worcestershire.

The hosts added 38 to their overnight score before being bowled out for 284.

Leading by 112, the Aussies lost Chris Rogers (26) and Ed Cowan (34) before Clarke added 132 with Phillip Hughes (86) and 115 with Steven Smith (43).

Clarke declared on 344-5 to set Worcestershire an unlikely 457 to win, and they had reached 64-1 by the close.

England opener Nick Compton, loaned to Worcestershire for this game, was stumped for 26 off left-arm spinner Ashton Agar six overs before stumps were drawn.

July

10-14 1st Test, Trent Bridge (11:00 BST)

18-22 2nd Test, Lord's (11:00 BST)

August

1-5 3rd Test, Old Trafford (11:00 BST)

9-13 4th Test, Chester-le-Street (11:00 BST)

21-25 5th Test, The Oval (11:00 BST)

The Somerset right-hander was dropped for England's warm-up game at Essex, indicating that he will be left out of their squad for next week's first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge when it is named on Saturday.

He claimed on Wednesday, after scoring 79 in the first innings of this game, that he had not been given "a fair crack of the whip" by England after scoring two Test centuries in New Zealand in March, before he struggled in the return series against the Kiwis.

With Compton gone, his opening partner Matthew Pardoe was unbeaten on 34 at the close, with Moeen Ali on two.

Earlier, Clarke and Australia had taken advantage of a flat pitch and a gentle bowling attack to enjoy their final batting practice before the Test series begins, scoring at quicker than a run a ball.

Shane Watson will open at Trent Bridge but his first-innings century prompted the Aussies to offer their other batsmen some time in the middle and after openers Rogers and Cowan were both trapped lbw, Clarke and Hughes took control.

Clarke was dropped by Alexei Kervezee on 32 but the third-wicket pair blazed away, adding 132 in 113 balls as Hughes - who knows New Road well from spells as Worcestershire's overseas player - hit his former team-mates for seven fours and a six in an 11-ball spell, including four boundaries from one Gareth Andrew over.

Even with seven men on the boundary, the runs continued to flow until Smith was bowled by Chris Russell trying to paddle the ball over his shoulder.

Clarke eventually perished when he was caught at third man, and Smith holed out just before the declaration.

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Malan inspires Middlesex to win

Middlesex 174-3 (19.4 overs) beat Essex 170-8 (20 overs) by seven wickets

Dawid Malan struck 86 off 55 balls as Middlesex secured a fine seven-wicket victory over Essex at Lord's.

Mark Pettini (37) and Hamish Rutherford (38) took the visitors to 59-0 inside five overs but once Rutherford fell they struggled to maintain momentum.

Number nine Graham Napier blasted 24 off eight balls as Essex posted 170-8.

Middlesex lost Paul Stirling cheaply in reply, but Malan shared 93 with Joe Denly (52no) before Adam Rossington hit the winning run with two balls left.

The result lifts the Panthers up to second place in the South Group table ahead of their derby clash with leaders Surrey on Friday, while Essex are struggling in fifth.

Match scorecard

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Root 'may be sledging target'

Australia fast bowler James Pattinson has hinted England batsman Joe Root will be a target for Ashes sledging.

Root, 22, will open for the first time in a Test match when the series gets under way at Trent Bridge on 10 July.

And Pattinson said: "There is an art to sledging these days. You have to pick the ones you sledge to.

Root has made six Test appearances, scoring 424 runs at an average of 42.40 In 16 one-day internationals, he averages 49.16 from 16 matches He has played 46 first-class matches, scoring 3,151 runs at 45.66 "Obviously there is going to be pressure on Root. He has done well at six but [moving up the order] will be a new challenge for him."

Pattinson, who is poised to share the new ball with Mitchell Starc, added: "I read the other day he is quite nervous about it but looking forward to the challenge as he should be. It's going to be a tough challenge for both teams."

Root, who was punched by Australia batsman David Warner in a Birmingham bar in June, averages 42.40 from 11 Test innings since making his debut against India in December 2012.

He was promoted to open the batting for England's warm-up match against Essex at Nick Compton's expense and responded with scores of 41 and 26.

Sledging, which involves trying to verbally unsettle an opponent, has been a favourite tactic of the great Australian sides of the past and was termed "mental disintegration" by former captain Steve Waugh. 

While Root may be a prime candidate for a few choice words, Pattinson conceded that aiming barbs at more established players like Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen could be counter-productive.

"Cook has been around quite a bit and he will probably not give you much back if you say anything to him," he said. "He will brush it off so let the ball do the talking to him.

England's Jimmy Ormond may have only played in two Tests, but his witty retort to Mark Waugh at The Oval in 2001 has gone down in Ashes folklore.

Waugh politely asked the bowler: "Mate, what are you doing out here? There's no way you're good enough to play for England."

Ormond, referencing the fact that the visitors were captained by Mark Waugh's brother Steve, instantly replied: "Maybe not... but at least I'm the best player in my own family."

"Pietersen is someone who would thrive on sledging. He is quite an aggressive person and he is, I suppose, an ego of their team.

"As a bowling group it is about being consistent against players like that. You know he will hit your good balls for four.

"But it is all about not letting him dictate because as a batsman that is what he wants to do. He wants to get on top of you."

Pattinson has 40 wickets in 10 Test matches and the 23-year-old impressed with match figures of 7-117 in Australia's first warm-up match against Somerset last week.

Born in Australia to English parents, he is the younger brother of Darren, who played a single Test for England at Headingley in 2008.

James has dual passports and even turned down an approach from England bowling coach David Saker before opting to play for Australia.

"When David Saker moved over to be the coach of England I hadn't played for Australia," said Pattinson.

"I was picked in two Twenty20s to play just after the Ashes but I was 12th man in both of them and he got Andy Flower to say 'come on, it's not too late, you can come over here.'

"But I owe a lot to Australian cricket, I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for them."

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Scotland win T20 contest with Kenya

First Twenty20 international, Aberdeen:

Scotland 113-6 (20 overs) beat Kenya 78 (18.5 overs) by 35 runs

Scotland bowled Kenya out for 78 to win a low-scoring Twenty20 international at Mannofield in Aberdeen.

Gordon Goudie was the leading wicket taker, claiming three victims, while bowlers Calum MacLeod and Gordon Drummond each earned two scalps.

Victory looked unlikely when Scotland made 113-6, with opener Richie Berrington top scoring on 29 and Preston Mommsen 24 not out.

But the visitors were dismissed with 13 balls remaining, 35 runs short.

The teams will meet again at the same venue on Friday evening and both sides will be looking to improve with the bat.

Duncan Allan was Kenya's leading scorer with just 15 runs, with Irfan Karim (11) and Tanmay Mishra (13) the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

Veteran Neil Carter was also among the Scottish wicket takers, dismissing Morris Ouma thanks to a catch from Drummond, while Majid Haq was the most economic of the home bowlers, taking one wicket and conceding a mere 10 runs from his four overs.

On a tricky wicket, Scotland only managed to score nine boundaries, with Goudie and Moneeb Iqbal each hitting a welcome six late in the innings.

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Billings aiming to seize Kent chance

Kent wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings is aware he is under pressure to perform in the FLt20.

The 22-year-old is in the team ahead of the experienced Geraint Jones.

"Having two strings to your bow takes pressure off both. I've got no time to dwell on it - I have to get the job done," Billings told BBC Radio Kent.

"I have got to work hard and try and take this opportunity. Ultimately it's what I have to keep doing consistently for the next few years."

Billings has scored 255 runs at an average of 18.21 in his 16 T20 appearances for the county.

“We have got a strong squad so every place is under threat. I have to go out there, play with freedom and try and put some performances in”

Sam Billings Kent wicketkeeper-batsman He was Kent's leading run scorer in one-day cricket in 2012 but this season is the first time he has been handed the gloves in Twenty20 competition.

"It is slightly different to the second team, in terms of the pace of the game and everything," he said.

"I need to get the basics nailed on and not try to change too much as I've been keeping well.

"I wasn't as good as I should have been against Middlesex but felt I came back strongly against Surrey and put in a decent performance with the gloves.

"We have got a strong squad so every place is under threat. I have to go out there, play with freedom and try and put some performances in."

Kent have lost their opening two matches in the South Group - by four wickets to Middlesex via the Duckworth-Lewis method and by 31 runs to Surrey.

However Billings believes his side are close to picking up their first victory in the tournament.

"It's two defeats from two but there are plenty of positives to take from both games," he said.

"We are not far away. That is the frustrating thing.

"We just need to string these performances and put it all into one.

"Hopefully we can put it all together and get a result on Friday [at home to Essex]."

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Essex opener Westley has surgery

Essex will be without batsman Tom Westley for up to six weeks and have also lost Tymal Mills and David Masters to injury after the game with England.

All three players had to withdraw on the third day of the Ashes warm-up defeat by the national side.

As a result, the match was deprived of its first-class status.

County Championship: 535 runs from 16 innings @ 33.43 average YB40: 227 from seven innings @ 32.42 average Opener Westley, 24, damaged a finger and had an operation on Tuesday, but Essex hope seamers Mills and Masters will be out for shorter periods.

Essex play the first of six FL t20 games in 11 days on Thursday against Middlesex.

And they will have to make changes because of the injuries suffered against England.

Mills suffered a hamstring strain and should be back in a week to 10 days, while Masters will continue to rest an ongoing Achilles problem and is expected to return in time to play Kent on Monday.

Batsman Greg Smith and spinner Tim Phillips are likely to come into the side to face Middlesex and Ryan ten Doeschate, James Foster, Graham Napier and Reece Topley could also be drafted in after being rested.

Meanwhile, head coach Paul Grayson believes opener Jaik Mickleburgh's knocks of 90 and 58 against England should stand him in good stead for the T20 schedule.

"It's baffling to a few of us that Jaik has not scored a few more runs [this summer]," he told BBC Essex.

"But we know he is a very good player with a bright future in the game and we will stick with him and keep playing him.

"The whole top order looks nicely balanced."

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I didn't get a fair crack - Compton

Nick Compton believes he has not been given a chance by the England selectors after being dropped for their warm-up match against Essex.

The South Africa-born opener gave a timely reminder of his talents scoring 79 for Worcestershire against Australia in a warm-up match.

But Compton, 30, said: "I don't feel that I had a fair crack of the whip.

"I don't know where things stand to be honest. I got told I had been dropped. Your guess is as good as mine."

Born: Durban, South Africa - 26 June 1983

Tests: 9

Runs: 479

Highest: 117

Average: 31.93

100s: 2

Joe Root opened the innings against Essex, suggesting he will bat there in the first Ashes Test on 10 July.

Compton, grandson of the late England batsman Denis, had made successive centuries in New Zealand in March but only 39 runs in four innings against the Kiwis in the two home Tests in May.

He made his Test debut in India in November, scoring 208 runs in the four matches at an average of 34, with a top score of 57.

"People doubted me when I got picked for England; people doubted me in India; they doubted me when I got nought in New Zealand and then I scored two hundreds but they even doubted me after that series," he said.

"I feel like this was a very good response actually. Time and time again I get asked to make responses and I feel like I do that every single time.

"[England team director] Andy Flower said go away and score runs. I have done that. How many runs is scoring runs?"

Compton told the BBC he believes he still has an international future and reiterated his desire to fight for a place.

"I'm certainly not going to lose hope of playing in an Ashes series. It's a dream of mine and something I've worked very hard to achieve," he said.

Following Compton's performance for Worcestershire, Flower said: "It's really nice to see, it's a good reaction from him.

"It was nice for him to get more exposure of playing [against] an international side. It was a really good reaction from him to get runs consistently and it shows he's a good, tough fighter.

"He's obviously an opening batsman so if there was an injury to someone batting at six it doesn't mean he's the next cab off the rank."

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I didn't get a fair crack - Compton

Nick Compton believes he has not been given a chance by the England selectors after being dropped for their warm-up match against Essex.

The South Africa-born opener gave a timely reminder of his talents scoring 79 for Worcestershire against Australia in a warm-up match.

But Compton, 30, said: "I don't feel that I had a fair crack of the whip.

"I don't know where things stand to be honest. I got told I had been dropped. Your guess is as good as mine."

Born: Durban, South Africa - 26 June 1983

Tests: 9

Runs: 479

Highest: 117

Average: 31.93

100s: 2

Joe Root opened the innings against Essex, suggesting he will bat there in the first Ashes Test on 10 July.

Compton, grandson of the late England batsman Denis, had made successive centuries in New Zealand in March but only 39 runs in four innings against the Kiwis in the two home Tests in May.

He made his Test debut in India in November, scoring 208 runs in the four matches at an average of 34, with a top score of 57.

"People doubted me when I got picked for England; people doubted me in India; they doubted me when I got nought in New Zealand and then I scored two hundreds but they even doubted me after that series," he said.

"I feel like this was a very good response actually. Time and time again I get asked to make responses and I feel like I do that every single time.

"[England team director] Andy Flower said go away and score runs. I have done that. How many runs is scoring runs?"

Compton told the BBC he believes he still has an international future and reiterated his desire to fight for a place.

"I'm certainly not going to lose hope of playing in an Ashes series. It's a dream of mine and something I've worked very hard to achieve," he said.

Following Compton's performance for Worcestershire, Flower said: "It's really nice to see, it's a good reaction from him.

"It was nice for him to get more exposure of playing [against] an international side. It was a really good reaction from him to get runs consistently and it shows he's a good, tough fighter.

"He's obviously an opening batsman so if there was an injury to someone batting at six it doesn't mean he's the next cab off the rank."

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Billings aiming to seize Kent chance

Kent wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings is aware he is under pressure to perform in the FLt20.

The 22-year-old is in the team ahead of the experienced Geraint Jones.

"Having two strings to your bow takes pressure off both. I've got no time to dwell on it - I have to get the job done," Billings told BBC Radio Kent.

"I have got to work hard and try and take this opportunity. Ultimately it's what I have to keep doing consistently for the next few years."

Billings has scored 255 runs at an average of 18.21 in his 16 T20 appearances for the county.

“We have got a strong squad so every place is under threat. I have to go out there, play with freedom and try and put some performances in”

Sam Billings Kent wicketkeeper-batsman He was Kent's leading run scorer in one-day cricket in 2012 but this season is the first time he has been handed the gloves in Twenty20 competition.

"It is slightly different to the second team, in terms of the pace of the game and everything," he said.

"I need to get the basics nailed on and not try to change too much as I've been keeping well.

"I wasn't as good as I should have been against Middlesex but felt I came back strongly against Surrey and put in a decent performance with the gloves.

"We have got a strong squad so every place is under threat. I have to go out there, play with freedom and try and put some performances in."

Kent have lost their opening two matches in the South Group - by four wickets to Middlesex via the Duckworth-Lewis method and by 31 runs to Surrey.

However Billings believes his side are close to picking up their first victory in the tournament.

"It's two defeats from two but there are plenty of positives to take from both games," he said.

"We are not far away. That is the frustrating thing.

"We just need to string these performances and put it all into one.

"Hopefully we can put it all together and get a result on Friday [at home to Essex]."

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Bresnan signs new Yorkshire contract

All-rounder Tim Bresnan has signed a new deal with Yorkshire running until the end of 2016, although he remains centrally contracted by England.

Pontefract-born Bresnan, 28, made his first-class debut for Yorkshire at Northamptonshire 10 years ago.

Since then he has played 125 first-class matches, taking 353 wickets and scoring scoring 3,628 runs.

Bresnan becomes the sixth current Yorkshire player to sign a new contract this summer.

He follows England team-mate Jonny Bairstow, batsman Gary Ballance, spinner Azeem Rafiq and seam bowlers Steve Patterson and Moin Ashraf in committing his future to the club.

"Tim has firmly established himself as an England regular but his commitment to Yorkshire is vital in our on-going efforts of developing a strong squad based around players produced through the club development system," said director of cricket Martyn Moxon.

Bresnan has taken 57 wickets and scored 438 runs n the 18 Tests he has played for England, and has also appeared in 76 one-day internationals and 25 Twenty20 internationals for his country.

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Essex opener Westley has surgery

Essex will be without batsman Tom Westley for up to six weeks and have also lost Tymal Mills and David Masters to injury after the game with England.

All three players had to withdraw on the third day of the Ashes warm-up defeat by the national side.

As a result, the match was deprived of its first-class status.

County Championship: 535 runs from 16 innings @ 33.43 average YB40: 227 from seven innings @ 32.42 average Opener Westley, 24, damaged a finger and had an operation on Tuesday, but Essex hope seamers Mills and Masters will be out for shorter periods.

Essex play the first of six FL t20 games in 11 days on Thursday against Middlesex.

And they will have to make changes because of the injuries suffered against England.

Mills suffered a hamstring strain and should be back in a week to 10 days, while Masters will continue to rest an ongoing Achilles problem and is expected to return in time to play Kent on Monday.

Batsman Greg Smith and spinner Tim Phillips are likely to come into the side to face Middlesex and Ryan ten Doeschate, James Foster, Graham Napier and Reece Topley could also be drafted in after being rested.

Meanwhile, head coach Paul Grayson believes opener Jaik Mickleburgh's knocks of 90 and 58 against England should stand him in good stead for the T20 schedule.

"It's baffling to a few of us that Jaik has not scored a few more runs [this summer]," he told BBC Essex.

"But we know he is a very good player with a bright future in the game and we will stick with him and keep playing him.

"The whole top order looks nicely balanced."

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'I was only a game or two from dropping myself'

Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale has admitted he was close to dropping himself before hitting three centuries in successive Championship matches.

Yorkshire sit proudly at the top of the County Championship at the half-way stage of the season.

But the outstanding form being shown by his team-mates was adding to the pressure on Gale to perform.

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“I didn't need telling I wasn't scoring enough runs. I was scratching around, and I knew people were writing and talking about it”

Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale "I was only another game or two at the most from dropping myself," said the 29-year-old.

When he walked to the crease against Nottinghamshire in Scarborough last month, Gale had not scored a century in 33 innings, having only contributed 487 first-class runs last summer as Yorkshire won promotion from Division Two.

And no-one was more aware than Gale, who was once talked of as a potential England player, that many were suggesting if he had not been captain of a successful side, he would have been left out long ago.

"Last season I probably didn't feel under too much pressure, because I was hitting the ball OK and I was contributing, albeit not with hundreds," he said.

"But earlier this season I did say to 'Dizzy' [head coach Jason Gillespie] I wasn't going to play just as a captain, because a captain has to lead from the front, he has to justify his place in the team.

"I didn't need telling I wasn't scoring enough runs. I was scratching around, and I knew people were writing and talking about it."

When he went to the crease at North Marine Road, a ground at which he has a proven record, Gale knew something had changed.

"After the first three games of the season I felt I was falling over at the crease. No-one really told me, but I could see from the ways I was getting out - there were a lot of leg befores, I was missing a lot of balls on my legs, because I was planting my front foot and anything wide, I wasn't getting across.

Sussex (h) 2, 3 Durham (a) 25, 39 Derbyshire (h) 5 Somerset (h) 17 Warwickshire (a) 40 Somerset (a) 75, 4 Nottinghamshire (h) 272 Middlesex (a) 103 Surrey (h) 148, 0 "Something had to change, I had to make an adjustment, particularly in my stance, make it a lot more upright and balanced. I played around with it in the nets, stood up, stopped tapping my bat on the ground as the bowler ran in, and it felt a million dollars.

"I tried it at Warwickshire in the Championship match and felt good, I got 40 and was a bit unlucky to get out, but at Somerset it really started to click into place. I got 75 and was really cross I hadn't gone on because I felt had a lot more time to hit the ball.

"Next time I was determined to go on - and the next time was Scarborough."

Gale did not just 'go on' against Notts, he went on spectacularly, scoring 272, and followed up with 103 against Middlesex at Lord's and then 148 against Surrey at Headingley.

"I made a statement at Scarborough and to back it up twice was pleasing," he said.

"When you get a score it relieves the pressure, and you get into that 'zone'. Instead of thinking 'I have to get to 10' or whatever, now it's a case of going out thinking about playing shots, playing the scoreboard - you forget about what score you're on.

"I don't think it's changed the way I captain on the field, but it's changed my whole mindset of the lads having faith in me. Backing up why I am captain, leading from the front - since taking over as captain I've prided myself on that and three hundreds in a row justifies that.

"I think my captaincy style has changed though. I think I'm a lot more relaxed. I have a relationship with Dizzy that's very different to the one I had with [previous head coach, now director of cricket] Martyn Moxon in the way things work.

"Jason takes a lot of pressure off me off the field. Not just in things like dealing with the media, but in things like when a player is left out. The way it works is he'll pick the squad, and when it comes to the final 11, I'll have my gut feeling as to who plays - but it's him who tells the players who are left out.

"That can be stressful, and I was the first to deal with unhappy players under Martyn, but Jason wanted that to be his job so I can just concentrate on the 11 who are out there. I think that's made me closer to the lads.

"No-one wanted to say something wrong or step out of line beforehand, now they're a lot more relaxed.

Gale believes his captaincy has become more aggressive since his return to form with the bat, but is quick to point out that you can only be aggressive if bowlers put the ball in the right areas consistently.

"In previous years we might have bowled five decent balls and let the pressure off with the sixth, but with the seam attack we have now, I can really put pressure on the opposition.

"To win the Championship in our 150th year would be a fairytale - I would be very proud. At the start of the season, I was a bit concerned that extra pressure might affect the players, but it's just made them lift their game.

"Come that last game of the season at The Oval, we want to be lifting that Championship. We're halfway and we're top, and that makes me even more determined to push on and really hammer it home."

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Wilson: Surrey yet to click with bat

Surrey's Garry Wilson believes the side will only improve their batting performances in this season's FLt20.

The Oval outfit sit top of the South Group with three wins from their four matches following Wednesday's three-run victory over Sussex.

The wicketkeeper-batsman told BBC London 94.9: "We probably haven't hit our top form with the bat yet.

"You only have to look at the line-up to think we should be scoring 180 every time. We are going to click one day."

“Credit has to go to the bowlers with the way Jade and Azhar bowled those last four overs. It was a great win and they don't come much better than that”

Gary Wilson on the three-run victory over Sussex Ireland international Wilson played a crucial role in Surrey's victory over the Sharks, hitting an unbeaten 44 to help them to a total of 139-6.

However he was quick to praise death bowlers Jade Dernbach and Azhar Mahmood for their contribution.

"I feel like I am hitting the ball pretty well at the minute and it's nice to contribute," the 27-year-old added.

"Credit has to go to the bowlers with the way Jade and Azhar bowled those last four overs.

"In his last over Azhar stood back after every ball, thought about what he was going to do next and executed his skill.

"It was a great win and they don't come much better than that.

"The atmosphere was amazing and to win like that in front of your home crowd is unbelievable."

Wilson will now miss Surrey's London derby against Middlesex on Friday night as he will be on international duty.

The Dundonald-born player is in the Ireland squad for their two World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands on Sunday and Tuesday.

"I'm leaving the team in a pretty good place with three wins from four," he said.

"If we can get another win we will be sitting nicely going into the little break.

"It's unfortunate I have to leave but it gives me an opportunity to go away and play two really important games for Ireland.

"We can qualify for the World Cup and I'm pretty confident."

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Is England's batting an Ashes weakness?

On the face of it, all the pre-Ashes problems belong to Australia.

A last-minute change of coach, a bar-room punch-up and a captain with a dodgy back have left the Baggy Greens as big underdogs for the first time in a generation.

England, though, have issues of their own to address when the contest for the urn begins at Trent Bridge on Wednesday, 10 July.

Since the beginning of 2012, a year that started with England on top of the world Test rankings, the Ashes holders have repeatedly struggled to post match-winning first-innings totals, an aspect of their game that was previously so strong in their climb to number one.

Players selected to bat in England's top seven from 2009-11:

Andrew Strauss Alastair Cook Ravi Bopara (above) Kevin Pietersen Paul Collingwood Matt Prior Andrew Flintoff Ian Bell Jonathan Trott Michael Carberry Eoin Morgan Stuart Broad Tim Bresnan Indeed, in the time between the last home Ashes series, a 2-1 victory in 2009, and the 4-0 win over India in 2011 that confirmed England as the world's best, they were posting average first-innings scores of 412.

However, over the past 18 months and in a run that has seen England win only three of their last seven series, that average has fallen to 323, a drop of almost 100 runs.

"If you're getting bowled out for 323, the opposing team know they don't need many to get in the game," said former England captain Michael Vaughan.

"That gives the opposition more confidence and puts more stress onto your bowlers. It's all about scoreboard pressure."

The batting dip has had just that effect on the performance of England's attack.

Whereas the period 2009-11 saw them dismissing the opposition for an average score of 297, the last year and a half has seen that rise to 336.

Coupled with the batting effort, England have gone from earning an average first-innings lead of 115 to conceding a deficit of 13.

"I wouldn't like it to be that way," England batting coach Graham Gooch told BBC Sport.

"You want to be putting sizeable totals on the board in order to give your bowlers the opportunity to win the match. We need to improve on that."

England could justifiably point to some mitigating factors. Latterly, more of their Test matches have been played away from home against stronger bowling units.

The spell between 2009-11 included home and away series against an Australia team in transition and the perennially poor Bangladesh, while England also hosted India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, whose bowlers often struggle outside the subcontinent.

By contrast, their schedule from the beginning of last year has included trips to play all three of Asia's strongest sides, as well as hosting a powerful South Africa team.

Yet that does not explain the collective dip in form of all four of the batsmen to have most regularly lined up for England since Australia last toured.

Alastair Cook's average over the two time periods fell from 57.35 to 47.31, Jonathan Trott from 57.79 to 42.45, Kevin Pietersen 50.45 compared with 42.15 and, most dramatically, Ian Bell's slide was from 72.25 to 32.07.

Furthermore, England struggled on the flat pitches of New Zealand earlier this year and even lost their first seven wickets for 212 in the Ashes warm-up game against Essex.

"We played on some result pitches in India, but in New Zealand they were very flat pitches and we twice got bowled out for low scores," said Gooch, England's record run-scorer with 8,900 in 118 Tests.

"The hundreds and big scores have been there but you want to maintain consistency. We had a very good series against India in 2011 and we want to re-establish that consistency."

Consistency, or the lack of it, explains the regular tinkering of England's batting line-up since the trip to play Pakistan in the UAE at the beginning of 2012, shuffling that has continued right up to the eve of the Ashes.

During their ascent to the top of the world rankings, the team led by Andrew Strauss barely altered a top seven of him, Cook, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior.

However, since Collingwood's retirement in 2011, England have handed middle-order opportunities to Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel, Joe Root and James Taylor.

Root is the only one of those names to have nailed down a place in the side and his success has led the England management to push him up the order to open, with Nick Compton looking set to lose his place when the squad for the Trent Bridge Test is announced on Saturday.

Of course, England's recent failings may count for little against the Aussies.

After all, we have been led to believe that the tourists are in disarray and England need only to turn up and toss the coin in order to retain the urn.

The statistics, however, beg to differ. During England's 18 months of mixed performances, Australia's batsmen have been in the sort of form that took their oldest enemy to the rankings summit.

Against similar opponents to England - both sides were beaten at home by South Africa, England won in India compared to the Aussies' 4-0 humiliation - Michael Clarke's side have been registering average first-innings scores of 412 with the bat while conceding 327 with the ball.

And, despite replacing coach Micky Arthur with Darren Lehmann, banning opener David Warner for punching Root in a Birmingham bar and being without a settled batting order during their time in England, the Aussie batsmen impressed against Somerset before hitting Worcestershire all around New Road.

"There is a drastic margin between the runs Australia and England have been scoring," said Vaughan, who captained England to victory in the 2005 Ashes.

"We've all been talking about this Australia line-up not having a great top seven. The stats prove that they can get big scores."

And that is where the Ashes may be won and lost. In a contest between two sides whose bowling attacks are stronger than their batting line-ups, the team that can post imposing totals will take the upper hand.

"Our players know that one of the disciplines of Test match batting is to bat long," concluded Gooch.

"They have to set their stall out to build an innings in the old-fashioned way and we need to improve on that if we are going to put pressure on the opposition.

"You have to put runs on the board in order to win Test matches. That's the goal we'll be working to over the next couple of months."

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McClenaghan targets 'dream' ending

Mitchell McClenaghan hopes to end his "dream" English summer by helping Lancashire to the FL t20 title.

The 27-year-old left-armer has helped New Zealand win one-day and T20 series against England in the past month.

And seamer McClenaghan took 3-35 as the Red Rose began their campaign with a nine-run victory at Durham on Friday.

Mitchell McClenaghan took eight wickets as New Zealand defeated England in their ODI series in June, and 11 more in the Champions Trophy.

The 27-year-old also claimed two victims in a T20 series win for the Black Caps, and took 3-35 on his FL t20 debut for Lancashire at Durham.

"I'm going to ride the wave while I can, keep enjoying my cricket and hopefully contribute to some good wins with Lancashire," said McClenaghan.

He told BBC Radio Manchester: "I've always taken the attitude that I give my best every game and results will take care of themselves."

McClenaghan, who has featured in 10 one-day internationals and eight T20 fixtures for the Black Caps, has never played in English county cricket before.

But he said there was no hesitation when he agreed to become Lancashire's second overseas recruit for this season's FL t20.

"It looked like a good fit," he added. "There are lots of people that I can learn from, like Ashwell Prince and Simon Katich, who have got a lot of international experience.

"I want to learn and contribute to winning a title."

Lancashire have never won the domestic T20 tournament since the competition's inception in 2003 - the closest they came was in 2005, when they lost to Somerset in the final.

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Notts hold on to see off Lancashire

Friends Life t20, Old Trafford

Nottinghamshire 159-6 (17.4 overs) beat Lancashire 155-6 (20 overs) by four wickets

Nottinghamshire eased to a four-wicket victory against Lancashire in the FL t20, despite a five-wicket haul from seamer Mitchell McClenaghan.

Batting first, Lancashire lost Stephen Moore and Ashwell Prince cheaply before Steven Croft (52) and Simon Katich (48) led the fightback.

Their third-wicket stand of 93 pushed the home side to a total of 155-6.

McClenaghan (5-29) removed Alex Hales (49) and David Hussey (52) but Notts made it home with 14 balls left.

Lancashire's innings began in comical fashion as Moore was run out in the first over following a mix-up with Prince, who soon succumbed to a miscued pull off the bowling of former Red Rose paceman Ajmal Shahzad.

They regrouped through Croft and Katich, while a late cameo from wicketkeeper Gareth Cross, who hit 10 from three balls, pushed the total past 150.

Although it was not enough for victory, Mitchell McClenaghan became the first Lancashire bowler to take five wickets for the county in a T20 match

New Zealand left-armer McClenaghan, who was making his home debut for Lancashire, had the dangerous Michael Lumb caught at first slip with his first ball and later removed Riki Wessels.

But England's Hales and Australia's Hussey, mixing brute force and clever placement, laid the platform for victory with a fourth-wicket stand of 78, Hussey reaching his half-century from just 25 balls.

He perished to the returning McClenaghan, as did Hales one short of his 50, but Samit Patel and Steven Mullaney saw Notts through to a second win in two games, while condemning Lancashire to a first FL t20 defeat in the process.

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Kent captain explains Jones omission

Kent captain James Tredwell says the need to find a long-term wicketkeeper is the reason behind their omission of Geraint Jones from their T20 squad.

The 36-year-old has not featured in the FL t20 this year, with Sam Billings, 22, being favoured instead.

"Geraint is at an age where, unfortunately, we are starting to think about filling that spot in years to come," Tredwell told BBC Radio Kent.

"Sam taking the gloves enables us to keep progressing young players."

Jones has scored 1009 runs at an average of 17.10 in 95 domestic Twenty20 games, as well as taking 49 catches and making 20 stumpings.

“We've got to try and get the best out of the youngsters in practice, keep them confident and put them out on the park with the full intention of winning matches”

James Tredwell Kent captain Billings, meanwhile, ended last season as Kent's leading run-scorer in both the FLt20 and CB40 competitions.

"It wasn't an easy decision and by no means was it taken lightly," Tredwell added.

"Geraint is family [he is Tredwell's brother-in-law] and he has been high-class performer for us over a number of years.

"Sam has shown promise with the bat in one-day cricket. This is a good time for us to progress some of these younger players."

Tredwell says the county's younger players will need support from the experienced members of the squad in order to perform in the first team.

"For youth to gain experience our senior players maybe [need to] play those more important knocks and bowl those spells that can help the younger guys through," he said.

"There is that double-edged sword that you hope they are learning but equally you also want them to put in performances.

"We've got to try and get the best out of them in practice, keep them confident and put them out on the park with the full intention of winning matches."

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Agarwal sets Varsity batting record

Oxford University batsman Sam Agarwal has set a Varsity match record by scoring 313 not out against Cambridge.

It was the first treble century in the history of the match, which was first played in 1827, and bettered the 247 for Oxford in 2005 by Salil Oberoi.

The 22-year-old struck three sixes and 41 fours in his innings at Fenner's, which lasted just over seven hours.

He also shared a record fourth-wicket partnership of 194 with Matt Winter (51) before Oxford declared on 550-7.

Agarwal, who was born in India, made a first-class century earlier this season in Oxford's defeat by Warwickshire.

He has also played a number of games for Surrey's second XI this summer but is not contracted to the county.

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Edwards looks for global progress

England captain Charlotte Edwards has said the aim of professionalism in the game has to be a global effort.

Women's cricket's leading nations have differing contracts, many of which make players semi-professional.

"It's moving in the right direction but professionalism needs to be across the board," 33-year-old Edwards told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"Other countries need to buy into it as well, not just England. I think it's an aim for the next five to 10 years."

England's players combine international cricket with other jobs, although the majority of the squad have roles as coaches and ambassadors for the sport, particularly with the Chance to Shine foundation, which is designed to increase grassroots participation.

Tests: 19 games; 1,522 runs, average 49.09

ODIs: 167 games; 5,075 runs, average 37.31

Twenty20 internationals: 61 games; 1,599 runs, average 31.98

All members of the squad have access to the England Cricket Board's high-end National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough University.

In comparison, New Zealand has four women signed to semi-professional contracts,  which includes a responsibility for promoting grassroots.

Australia signed 14 players to contracts earlier this year,  with some women able to earn up to £47,500 ($80,000 Aus) a year and last year Pakistan awarded 17 contracts,  worth up to £393 ($600 US) a month.

"Professionalism will be seen as the next step. How soon that comes about I don't know, I think we've made huge strides," said Huntingdon-born Edwards, who led England to victory in the 2009 World Cup and World Twenty20.

"Many of the girls are semi-professional, in terms of what they're doing outside of cricket.

"The game is unrecognisable from the game I started playing. A bit of that is down to the success the England team has had.

"That's something that makes me and the team very proud. It's great to see women's cricket in such a healthy state."

Batsman Edwards, the first woman to pass 5,000 one-day international runs, took a rest from the game earlier this year but showed her prowess earlier this week by hitting 83 in a 111-run win over Pakistan.

And she says the prospect of retirement is a long way off.

"I've still got a huge hunger for the game, which I think is really important, and a real hunger to get better as a player," said the Kent batter.

"Who knows how long I've got left? But hopefully a few more years at least.

"Having spoken to a few players, the time will generally be around you're own form and whether you can contribute to a team."

You can here more from Charlotte as part of Cambridgeshire Sporting Lives on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire's Saturday Sport from 17:00 BST.

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Gunn bowls England to Pakistan win

First one-day international, Louth:

England 222-7 (50 overs) beat Pakistan 116 (41.2 overs) by 111 runs

Jenny Gunn took her 100th England wicket as her 5-22 helped beat Pakistan by 111 runs in the first one-day international at Louth.

England openers Charlotte Edwards and Arran Brindle put on 112 to help the hosts to 227-7 in Lincolnshire, with Sadia Yousuf taking three for 33.

Pakistan's top order offered resistance as Javeria Khan top scored with 39.

But Gunn took two wickets in three balls to trigger a collapse as eight wickets fell in 10 overs for 16 runs.

Right-arm seamer Gunn's haul saw her move to 102 one-day wickets for England,

After Edwards won the toss, she and Brindle took England past the 100 mark before local favourite Brindle, playing in front of her home crowd, departed for 55 from 102 balls, stumped by Batool Fatima off Yousuf.

Sarah Taylor fell to Yousuf for 15 but Edwards struck back-to-back fours off Nida Dar to bring up the 150 with 10 overs left.

She was finally bowled by Sumaiya Siddiqi for a knock of 83 which featured seven boundaries, but Lydia Greenway made 38 from 29 balls to lift England's total.

Pakistan started steadily, if slowly, in response as Khan put on 58 with opening partner Nahida Khan (23) and 35 with Bismah Maroof (20).

That took them to 101-2 but Gunn ripped out Javeria and Maroof with no addition to the score to spark the spectacular collapse.

Match scorecard (external site) 

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Watson century puts Australia on top

Day one, close: Australia 340-4 v Worcestershire

Shane Watson struck a 94-ball century against Worcestershire in Australia's final warm-up match before the Ashes.

He shared a stand of 170 for the first wicket with Chris Rogers at New Road, with the pair set to open in the first Test against England on 10 July.

Watson was eventually dismissed after lunch for 109 by spinner Moeen Ali, while Rogers made 75.

Shane Watson: Scored 2,580 runs in 41 Tests, at an average of 35.34

Chris Rogers: Scored 19 runs in two innings in his only Test appearance, which was against India at Perth in January 2008

Michael Clarke (62) and Ed Cowan (58) also hit half-centuries as Australia reached 340-4 at the close of play.

Watson has only recently been restored to the top of the order by new coach Darren Lehmann, having last opened against South Africa in November 2011.

The all-rounder, 32, took advantage of Michael Clarke's decision to bat after the Australia captain won the toss.

Watson punched the first ball of the day for four and added 13 more boundaries as he hit to all parts of the ground.

There were also two sixes from Watson as he completed a first-class hundred for the first time since Australia's Test against India in October 2010, and built on his 90 in the recent six-wicket win over Somerset.

Worcestershire's bowling attack, who were without leading wicket-taker Alan Richardson, eventually broke Australia's resistance when Watson chipped an Ali off-break to Jack Shantry in the deep.

Rogers, in line to play his first Test match in more than five years at Trent Bridge next week, made a more circumspect 75 before he departed when caught by Alexei Kervezee off the bowling of Shantry.

Clarke and Cowan were both run out, but the tourists remain in a strong position in their four-day match and will resume on Wednesday with Steven Smith unbeaten on 21 and Phil Hughes on 10 not out.

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Maddy to retire at end of season

Former England player Darren Maddy is to retire at the end of this season.

The 39-year-old Warwickshire all-rounder intends to finish his career in September - at the end of his 20th summer in first-class cricket.

Part of Leicestershire's Championship winning teams in 1996 and 1998, helping the Foxes to Twenty20 triumphs in 2004 and 2006 Three trophies in seven years at Edgbaston - the County Championship Division Two title in 2008, the CB40 at Lord's in 2010 and the Bears' county title last summer Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval in 1999, playing twice more against South Africa on the following winter tour. Played in eight one-day internationals between May 1998 and February 2000, making one half century. Was recalled by England for the World Twenty20 in 2007 Maddy was with Leicestershire, his native county, for 13 years, during which time he played three Tests and eight one-day internationals.

He signed for the Bears in 2007, taking over as skipper within a month of his debut.

After relinquishing the captaincy at the end of the 2008 campaign, during which time he was recalled by England to play in the World Twenty20, he has carried on playing under Ian Westwood and Jim Troughton.

But he has so far been limited only to YB40 games this season, having made just one County Championship appearance.

"I realise that it's the right time for me to bow out and give more opportunities for many of Warwickshire's promising youngsters to come through and help build on the success of recent seasons," said Maddy.

"I've enjoyed a fantastic career, which I never thought would be possible when I signed my first professional contract with Leicestershire in 1991."

After making his professional debut in a Sunday League match for Leicestershire against Derbyshire in 1994, Maddy has since gone on to play 282 first-class games, as well as 361 List A and 87 Twenty20 appearances, compiling a combined 39 centuries in all formats.

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Fast-tracked Fawad boosts Australia

Australia can select Pakistan-born spinner Fawad Ahmed from the start of the Ashes after his citizenship application was fast-tracked.

The 31-year-old would have become eligible for Australia on 18 August, but is now available for the start of the five-Test series on 10 July.

Fawad, who claimed asylum in 2010, is due to tour with Australia A but could now challenge off spinner Nathan Lyon.

"Now I want to give something back to Australia," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

"It was a tough time and a hard chapter for me, but now I'm officially an Australian citizen which is great for me."

Australia have been struggling to find a top-class spinner since the retirement of Shane Warne in January 2007.

And last month Warne, who took 708 Test wickets in a stellar international career, backed fellow leg spinner Fawad to make an impact in the Ashes.

"I never even dreamed when I arrived that I would one day get the chance to play for Australia," admitted Fawad.

Stuart McGill : Tests 44, wickets 208 Nathan Lyon: Tests 22, wickets 76 Nathan Hauritz: Tests 17, wickets 63 Brad Hogg: Tests 7, wickets 17 Jason Krejza: Tests 2, wickets 13 Glenn Maxwell: Tests 2, wickets 7 Xavier Doherty: Tests 4, wickets 7 Cameron White: Tests 4, wickets 5 Steve Smith: Tests 7, wickets 4 Beau Casson: Tests 1, wickets 3 Michael Beer: Tests 2, wickets 3 Bryce McGain: Tests 1, wickets 0 "I am not sure about it [the Ashes] at the moment. I am just concentrating on the 'A' tour which is a great opportunity for me.

"Hopefully I do well and there will be a chance for me sooner or later."

Fawad arrived in Australia on a short-term visa in 2010 and claimed asylum on the grounds he was persecuted by the Taliban in his native Pakistan.

The leg spinner, who played on Australia A's recent tour of the British Isles, has taken 41 wickets in 15 first-class matches.

He played 10 of those matches in Pakistan having made his debut for Abbottabad in October 2005 before he left for Australia.

Australia have tried a dozen slow bowlers with little success since Warne retired after helping the team whitewash England 5-0 in the 2006-07 Ashes series.

The Australian Senate recently passed legislation to fast-track citizenship in special cases enabling Fawad, who would otherwise have been unavailable for the first four Tests, to be in contention for all five matches.

England batting coach Graham Gooch says Fawad's performances for Australia A will be monitored in case of an Ashes call-up.

Gooch told BBC Sport: "We'll obviously have tabs on him to see what he does and how he performs because if he does make an appearance in the series, we need to be aware of that.

"If someone has qualified to live in the country and gets all the stamps in their passport, a naturalised Australian, he becomes just another opponent.

"It's certainly not been their preferred modus operandi in the past. I wouldn't pass judgement on it, but it's not a route that they have gone down before."

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Chanderpaul helps Derbyshire to win

Derbyshire 154-3 (19.3 overs) beat Lancashire 151-8 (20 overs) by seven wickets

Shivnarine Chanderpaul's brilliant unbeaten 87 helped Derbyshire to a seven-wicket victory over Lancashire.

Tim Groenewald (4-21) helped reduce the visitors to 48-4 before Karl Brown (50) and Tom Smith (27) shared 68 to take them to 151-8 off 20 overs.

The Derbyshire reply got off to a bad start when Chesney Hughes fell to the first ball of the innings.

But, coming in at three, Chanderpaul guided the hosts towards the winning target with three balls remaining.

The West Indian's 70-ball innings, which was a new career-best in Twenty20, included seven fours and two sixes.

The result means Derbyshire move to the top of the North Group having won all three of their opening fixtures, while Lancashire are third.

Match scorecard

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Irish still in control against Dutch

Ireland remain in control of their ICC Intercontinental Cup clash despite a late rally by the Netherlands in the final hour of day two in Deventer.

Having been dismissed for 332 on Monday, Ireland bowled out their Dutch opponents for 148, but opted not to enforce the follow-on despite having a significant 184-run advantage.

Ireland moved steadily to 52-1, before three wickets fell in quick succession.

They ended the day on 68-4, an overall lead of 252, with two days remaining.

With the pitch already offering significant assistance to the spinners, Ireland didn't relish the prospect of batting last on the fourth day, prompting their decision not to make the hosts bat again.

After the early loss of Andrew Balbirnie for just a single, James Shannon (31) and first innings centurion John Anderson (18) steadied the ship for Ireland before those three wickets fell before the close.

Anderson fell lbw, attempting to sweep Pieter Seelaar, and the same bowler accounted for Irish skipper Kevin O'Brien (4), a turning ball catching the edge through to keeper Wesley Barresi.

In between, Shannon had struck a Daniel Doram full toss straight to Gruijters at extra cover as the Dutch mounted a fightback.

Andrew White ended the day on six not out and Stuart Poynter on four not out to ensure there were no further successes for the home side.

Earlier in the day Tom Cooper had been the sole Dutch batsman to offer any resistance, top-scoring with 51 from 128 balls, before being last man out, brilliantly stumped by Stuart Poynter, to give George Dockrell his third wicket.

John Mooney (2-5) had dismissed both openers, while Max Sorensen (2-33) accounted for tail-enders Gunning and Braat.

Trent Johnston and Andrew Balbirnie both had figures of 1 for 20, while Stuart Thompson (1-23) was the other Irish wicket taker.

Ireland are guaranteed at least six points from the fixture by virtue of having the first innings lead and will be hoping to collect the extra 14 points which would secure a final berth in Dubai in December over the next two days.

ICC InterContinental Cup day two of four

At Deventer

Ireland 332 all out (J Anderson 127, D Doram 5-82) and 68-4 (35 overs, J Shannon 31, P Seelaar 2-9)

Netherlands 148 all out (60.2 overs, T Cooper 51, G Dockrell 3-32, J Mooney 2-5, M Sorensen 2-33) by 252 runs.

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Kaneria fails in appeal on life ban

Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has failed in his appeal against a life ban imposed by the ECB for corruption.

Kaneria, 32, was banned by a disciplinary panel in June 2012 for spot-fixing while playing for Essex.

He was found guilty of "cajoling and pressurising" team-mate Mervyn Westfield into accepting cash to concede a number of runs in a Pro40 match in 2009.

Westfield, 25, was imprisoned for his part in the affair.

He was also banned from professional cricket for five years, but the ECB appeal panel ruling stated that he can return to club cricket next April - three years before his ban is complete.

February 2009: Essex play Durham in a 40-over match February 2012: Mervyn Westfield is jailed for four months, of which he served two, for spot-fixing in that game. During the trial Danish Kaneria was accused of applying "pressure" on Westfield to underperform for money April 2012: Westfield and Kaneria are charged by the ECB for "alleged breaches of anti-corruption directives" June 2012: Kaneria receives life ban from cricket, while Westfield is suspended for five years December 2012: Kaneria's appeal against the verdict is deferred April 2013: Rearranged ECB appeal hearing sees Kaneria fail to overturn spot-fixing finding July 2013: Kaneria's appeal rejected for a second time, length of Westfield's ban from game shortened. ECB chairman Giles Clarke, who worked on the ICC's Pakistan Task Force from 2002 to 2010, said: "The appeal panel's findings in this case clearly confirm the disciplinary panel's finding that Mr Kaneria acted as a recruiter of potential 'spot-fixers' and used his seniority and international experience to target and corrupt a young and vulnerable player.

"We note, with regret, that Mr Kaneria has neither made any admission of guilt nor expressed any remorse for his corrupt actions, despite the weight of evidence against him.

"It is high time that Mr Kaneria came clean about his involvement in these corrupt activities and stopped misleading the Pakistan cricket fans and wider public."

ECB chief executive David Collier also commented on the panel's ruling on Westfield, saying: "The ECB notes the panel's decision on Mr Westfield's appeal against the length of his ban.

"Without Mr Westfield's stand, the corrupt actions of Mr Kaneria might not have been exposed.

"The ECB will support Mr Westfield's efforts to rehabilitate himself and as part of this process, hopes that he can raise awareness of the dangers of corruption in cricket."

Essex chief executive Derek Bowden said: "We will consider the appeal panel's decision carefully and continue to work closely with the ECB's anti-corruption team and the PCA (Professional Cricketers' Association) to ensure that all Essex players continue to be well educated about the dangers of corruption and immediately report any corrupt or other suspicious activity."

Kaneria has repeatedly denied all involvement in the corruption case, but his appeal against two ECB charges has now failed twice on appeal.

A cricket discipline commission appeals panel dismissed the case in April before today's decision, when Kaneria had hoped a reduction in his ban might at least have been achieved.

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Kiwi pace bowler Martin retires

Chris Martin, one of New Zealand's most successful seam bowlers, has retired from cricket at the age of 38.

Martin's 233 wickets in 71 Tests has only been bettered for the Kiwis by legendary paceman Sir Richard Hadlee (431) and spinner Daniel Vettori (359).

But he became a cult figure among fans after acquiring a reputation as one of the worst batsmen in Test history.

2.00 - Pommie Mbangwa (Zimbabwe), 15 Tests 1996-2000 2.29 - Jack Saunders (Australia), 14 Tests 1902-08 2.36 - Chris Martin (New Zealand), 71 Tests 2000-13 2.62 - Bert Ironmonger (Australia), 14 Tests 1928-33 3.11 - Cuan McCarthy (South Africa), 14 Tests 1948-51

*qualification: 10 Tests played

Scoring 123 runs in 104 innings at an average of 2.36, his highest score was 12 not out against Bangladesh in 2008.

However, that was the only time in his Test career in which he reached double figures, finishing with nearly twice as many Test wickets as runs.

His total of 36 Test ducks has only been surpassed by West Indies paceman Courtney Walsh (43), who played nearly twice as many Tests as Martin.

However, Martin holds the Test record for the most pairs (dismissed for a duck in each innings), a feat he achieved on seven occasions.

Born in Christchurch, he took five wickets in a Test innings on 10 occasions, four of which were against South Africa, while his best figures of 6-26 came against Zimbabwe in Napier last year.

Though he remained a mainstay of New Zealand's Test attack since his debut in 2000, Martin's batting limitations prevented him from being selected for more than 20 one-day internationals and six Twenty20 internationals.

In first-class cricket, he took 599 wickets, also playing for Auckland, Canterbury and English county sides Warwickshire and Essex - but fared little better at the crease, averaging 3.71 with the bat.

"It feels like the right time to step down," he said in a statement.

"I have loved every second and given it everything when playing for the Black Caps, but after 15 years of professional cricket, it's time to pursue a new challenge.

"I want to thank my family, all those at New Zealand Cricket, Auckland Cricket and Canterbury Cricket for their help and support over the years.

"Wearing the silver fern has brought me a huge amount of pride and will be something I'll always cherish. Playing with a group of guys who're so passionate about doing well for their country has been very special."

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson added: "The way Chris goes about his business both on and off the field has made him one of the most respected players in the changing room.

"His stats speak for themselves, but his knowledge and experience make his presence in the group so important.

"He's been a great role model for younger team mates and will be sorely missed. We wish him all the best for the future."

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Cook and Trott in pre-Ashes boost

By Stephan Shemilt BBC Sport at Chelmsford

Warm-up match, Chelmsford (day three of four);

England 413-9 dec & 217-3 v Essex 278

England batsmen Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott spent crucial time in the middle against Essex in their final warm-up game ahead of next week's first Ashes Test against Australia.

With three Essex bowlers injured, Reece Topley and Boyd Rankin were added to the county side mid-game, meaning the match lost its first class status.

"They bowled well, so it was spot on for our Test preparation," said Trott.

Continue reading the main story

“Reece Topley and Boyd Rankin bowled so well, for this game and preparation for the first Test, it was spot on”

Jonathan Trott Cook made 82 and Trott 79 before both retired as England reached 217-3.

That meant they led by 352 when rain curtailed the penultimate day's play.

Promising left-arm seamer Topley had been rested by Essex for the game, while ex-Ireland pace bowler Rankin was with the England squad after making his first Twenty20 international appearance for them last week.

"If it [their inclusion] hadn't been done we would have probably been asking if it was the right preparation for a Test match," said Trott.

Earlier in the day the county side had been bowled out in their first innings for 278.

The move to introduce Topley and Rankin came midway through the afternoon session after Essex lost David Masters to an Achilles tendon problem, fellow pace bowler Tymal Mills with a hamstring strain and saw part-time spinner Tom Westley suffer a dislocated finger while fielding.

And Essex were so short of players that 15-year-old Aaron Beard was employed as a substitute fielder.

England's request to allow Topley and Rankin to join the Essex XI was pragmatic but the downgrading from a first-class match sucked the credibility from the contest, a point highlighted when Cook and Trott were simultaneously retired out at tea.

10-14 July: 1st Test, Trent Bridge

18-22 July: 2nd Test, Lord's

1-5 August: 3rd Test, Old Trafford

9-13 August: 4th Test, Chester-le-Street

21-25 August: 5th Test, The Oval

They came together after new England opener Joe Root was pinned lbw by a quicker ball from leg-spinner Tom Craddock for an assured 26, and added 119 for the second wicket.

Both men regularly worked the ball through the leg side, with Cook slog-sweeping Craddock for six and Trott playing some eye-catching drives off the seamers.

Cook had previously been given an early life as Saj Mahmood put down a straightforward caught and bowled opportunity, while Trott twice flashed the extra pace of Rankin through the vacant slip area.

Their decision not to continue at the beginning of the final session saw Ian Bell and Jonny Bairstow promoted up the order ahead of Kevin Pietersen, but they had little chance to make an impression as showers first interrupted, then ended, play.

England had earlier been boosted by the fitness of Graeme Swann, who did not field on day two as a result of being struck on the arm while batting by Mills.

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White spins Northants to victory

Northants 124-4 (12 overs) 83-9 (12 overs) beat Gloucestershire by 41 runs

Graeme White took four wickets in just nine balls as Northamptonshire beat Gloucestershire by 41 runs.

The left-arm spinner, on a month-long loan from Nottinghamshire, took 4-14 and helped restrict the Gladiators to just 83-9 as they chased 125 to win.

In a rain-reduced match of 12 overs each, big-hitting Richard Levi was out for just one for Northants.

But Kyle Coetzer (39) and Alex Wakely (36) powered the home side to 124-4 which proved to be more than enough.

When play eventually got underway at 20:10 BST, the home fans were hoping to see some fireworks from South African Levi, who holds the world record for the quickest international Twenty20 century off just 45 balls, but were left disappointed when he edged behind off Dan Christian.

Coetzer and Cameron White (28) both scored quickly in a partnership of 44 off 30 balls, before Northants captain Wakely blasted two sixes and two fours in his innings of only 19 balls.

Gloucestershire lost Hamish Marshall to the second ball of their reply and the innings then stuttered as only Michael Klinger (27) passed 20, while Mohammad Azharullah took 3-23.

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