A wrap of the final day in the latest round of LV= County Championship fixtures, with Divison One leaders Nottinghamshire losing to Warwickshire and Worcestershire beating Gloucestershire to go top of the second tier.

By Callum Dent, Rob Barnett & Matt Somerford

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5.45pm - Here is a round-up of the final day in the five championship games: 

Division One

Warwickshire revived their title ambitions with an enthralling three-wicket win over Division One leaders Nottinghamshire. Tim Ambrose steered the Bears over the line with an unbeaten 82 at Edgbaston.

Half-centuries from Usman Khawaja and Steven Croft ensured Lancashire batted through the final day at Taunton to confirm a drawagainst Somerset.

Northamptonshire ended a run of seven championship defeats with a comfortable draw against Middlesex at Lord’s after finishing the day on 82 for three.

Division Two

Saeed Ajmal’s seven wickets inspired Worcestershire to a 249-run win over Glamorgan, who were bowled out for 105 at New Road, to send the Pears to the top of the Division Two table.

Essex stayed in touch with the promotion race thanks to a 10-wicket win over Gloucestershire at the Essex County Ground. Openers Tom Westley and Nick Browne knocked off the nine runs they required in nine balls.

Handshakes at Lord's as the game is drawn. Middx 12 points, Northants 10. #middlesex150

— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) July 2, 2014

5.27pm - RESULT! Northamptonshire (384 & 82/3) have drawn with Middlesex (488/9d & 199/5d) at Lord's - It perhaps arrived a little later than we might have expected but the draw has been agreed upon. Northants will be the happier as they end a run of seven consecutive championship defeats since the opening round.

5.18pm - We've just one game still going and that is a Lord's where a draw has all but been agreed upon. Northants are 81 for three and with a maximum of just over 10 overs to go, we might not even get that.

The Captains shake hands and settle for the draw. Lancashire finish on 251/5. We finish with 11 points and Lancashire get 9.

— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 2, 2014

5.01pm - RESULT! Lancashire (266 & 251/5) have drawn with Somerset (484) at Taunton - I can confirm Trego bowling leg-spin is a sign that a draw is forthcoming. The captains call it a day with Lancs 33 runs ahead.

4.58pm - Peter Trego is bowling leg-spin at Taunton. You get the feeling they are preparing to shake hands.

Northants have moved on to 69/3 with Spriegel (21*) and Newton (5*) at the crease for the visitors.

— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) July 2, 2014

That's another fifty for Croft off 119 balls with 8x4s. Lancs 236-5, lead by 18. #SomvLancs

— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) July 2, 2014

4.35pm - RESULT! Warwickshire (343 & 289/7) have defeated Nottinghamshire (406 & 225) by three wickets at Edgbaston - Keith Barker hits the winnings runs and Warwickshire claim a win that has thrust them back into the title picture. Ambrose finished unbeaten on 82 and with Barker put on 55 after the Bears had lost three for six.

4.22pm - Ambrose carves Siddle away for another boundary. The new ball is to his liking and Warwickshire are 10 runs away from a win that will catapult them back into title calculations.

4.18pm - Middlesex have only an outside chance of victory over last-placed Northants at Lord's, but the early dismissal of James Middlebrook after tea helps. The opener edges Toby Roland-Jones to Eoin Morgan at second slip. Northants are 54 for three.

6 for Ambrose off Siddle leaves the Bears 20 for victory. 269-7 #YouBears

— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) July 2, 2014

Lancs draw level at 218-5. Croft 38, Horton 28.

— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) July 2, 2014

4.04pm – The action resumes. Notts take the new ball straight away.

12 - @WorcsCCC are unbeaten in their last 12 @LV_Cricket matches (W6 D6), their longest unbeaten run since 2002/03 (16 matches). Buoyant.

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) July 2, 2014

3.47pm – It’s tea in all three remaining games.

Warwickshire are 261 for seven, needing another 28 to beat Nottinghamshire with three wickets left at Edgbaston.

Lancashire are 212 for five, six behind Somerset in their second innings at Taunton.

Northamptonshire are 45 for two as they bat for a draw with Middlesex at Lord’s.

3.30pm – Ambrose is still going and Warwickshire want 33 more with three wickets left.

8 - Essex lost their first 2 C'ship matches vs. Gloucestershire at Chelmsford (1928 & 1930), but are unbeaten in eight since (W3 D5). Fort.

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) July 2, 2014

We are delighted to announce that .@kiesy_22 has signed a new 3 year deal, keeping him at Taunton until at least 2017 http://t.co/REa32QAfKR

— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 2, 2014

3.17pm – RESULT! (Essex 541 & 10/0) thump Gloucestershire (224 & 325) by 10 wickets at the Essex County Ground. The hosts need just nine balls to complete victory, the second of Nick Browne’s two fours doing the job.

WICKET - Kettleborough (5) has been bowled by Tim Murtagh that leaves Northants 30/2 from 12 overs. 274 to win with eight wickets remaining.

— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) July 2, 2014

3.04pm – Rouse and Taylor move Gloucestershire ahead with a fifty partnership shortly before Ryan ten Doeschate traps the former in front for 49, leaving Matt Taylor unbeaten on 32. That means Essex need nine runs for victory.

3.01pm – Notts surge back into the reckoning when Samit Patel breaks through twice in three balls, Chris Woakes and Rikki Clarke the men to go. It’s suddenly a tall order for Warwickshire, who want 55 more with three wickets left.

England squad 1st Investec Test Cook Ali Anderson Ballance Bell Broad Jordan Plunkett Prior Robson Root Stokes Woakes pic.twitter.com/2cpvd1GVGK

— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) July 2, 2014

2.56pm – RESULT! Worcestershire (352 & 299/7d) thrash Glamorgan (297 & 105) by 249 runs at New Road. Worcestershire usurp Hampshire atop Division Two. Ajmal, with stunning figures of 7-34, makes it four strikes in seven balls as the hosts romp to victory.

2.49pm – Ambrose goes to a half-century, keeping Warwickshire on course to win.

Glam 100/7 as Bragg is caught behind against Ajmal.

— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) July 2, 2014

2.40pm – Sam Hain falls to Samit Patel for 63, ending his alliance with Ambrose on 108. Warwickshire need 71 more to win with five wickets left.

2.29pm – Thomas has two wickets in two overs, snaring Tom Smith caught behind. Somerset are on a victory charge now.

100 partnership up between Hain 51* and Ambrose 43*. Warwickshire 220-4 with 69 required for victory #YouBears

— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) July 2, 2014

2.16pm – Worcestershire have a sixth scalp and it’s that man Saeed Ajmal with his third, having Jim Allenby caught at backward square-leg for 35 to end a stand of 53 with Will Bragg. The New Road hosts need four more wickets to go top of Division Two.

Alfonso Thomas has his former team-mate Jos Buttler cheaply caught behind as Somerset boost their hopes of beating Lancashire, who trail by 63 with six wickets left.

2.08pm –Middlesex declare on 199 for five, setting Northants 303 to win although the visitors will realistically be batting for a draw. Morgan is unbeaten on 81. There are 56 overs left in the game.

Adam Rouse and Matt Taylor are holding up Essex, but it’s surely a mater of time before James Foster’s side complete victory?

Sam Hain fifty and Warwicks are 200-4. Should win from here.

— CulleyCricket (@CulleyCricket) July 2, 2014

1.57pm – Middlesex look like they’re setting up a declaration as Eoin Morgan and Joe Denly attack. The latter falls to Maurice Chambers.

George Dockrell strikes an important blow for Somerset, having Ashwell Prince stumped for 22.

1.47pm – Jesse Ryder strikes twice in three balls to put Essex a wicket away from victory. He had Jack Taylor caught behind and bowled David Payne, making Gloucestershire 274 for nine, still 43 behind. Matt Taylor survived the hat-trick ball, getting a leg-bye from it.

1.08pm - As promised, here is the state-of-play in the five matches:

Division One

Warwickshire are 176 for four at Edgbaston, requiring another 113 runs to defeat Nottinghamshire.

Usman Khawaja made 60 of Lancashire’s141 for two at Taunton. The Red Rose need 77 more runs to make Somerset bat again.

Middlesex, on 151 for four, lead bottom-placed Northamptonshire by 255 courtesy of Eoin Morgan’s unbeaten 53 at Lord’s.

Division Two

Worcestershire are five wickets away from dethroning Hampshire at the top of Division Two. Glamorgan, in pursuit of 355, are struggling on 46 for five after 30 overs at New Road.

Essex are in pole position to defeat Gloucestershire, reducing the visitors to 273 for seven, still 44 in arrears at the Essex County Ground. 

1pm - Somerset strike on the stroke of lunch through George Dockrell. The spinner collects the key wicket of Khawaja, dropped earlier in the over, for 60, ending a 72-run partnership with Ashwell Prince. 

We will round-up the lunchtime scores for you in a few minutes. 

50 partnership up between Hain 37* and Ambrose 22* in 13 overs. Warwickshire 173-4 with a further 116 required for victory #YouBears

— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) July 2, 2014

Live Action:Usman Khawaja reaches 50 http://t.co/eRZ9OwAzHG

— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) July 2, 2014

12.53pm - Crook snares a second scalp at Lord's. This time he dismisses Neil Dexter for 16, leaving Middlesex 250 in front on 146 for four. 

12.47pm - Morgan replicates Khawaja by moving to a fifty at Lord's.

Glamorgan are falling fast in Worcester, losing a fifth wicket when Chris Cooke finds short extra-cover off Ajmal. 

12.44pm - Usman Khawaja is trying his best to help Lancashire bat out the final day at Taunton, reaching a half-century from 129 deliveries. The Red Rose are 101 runs behind Somerset. 

Dockrell has bowled unchanged this morning. 44 overs gone and Lancs are 108-1 - 110 behind. #SomvLancs

— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) July 2, 2014

12.37pm - Moeen and Ajmal combine to claim a fourth Glamorgan scalp at New Road. The former takes the catch at square-leg off the Pakistan spinner to remove Ben Wright for 10. The visitors are struggling on 30 for four off 22 overs. 

12.31pm - Tom Smith fails to play a shot to Jesse Ryder and is bowled for 16. Essex are three wickets from victory with Gloucestershire still 59 runs away from making the hosts bat again at the Essex County Ground. 

Dropped - Wessels puts down Hain at slip off Patel. Warwickshire 149-4 requiring a further 140 to win #YouBears

— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) July 2, 2014

12.16pm - Glamorgan are rocking at New Road as overseas star Jacques Rudolph goes. Morris does the damage again, having the former South Africa batsman caught at midwicket by Richard Oliver. The visitors are 17 for three. 

A third-wicket stand of 68 between Dawid Malan and Eoin Morgan ends when the former hands a catch to Andrew Hall off Muhammad Azhar Ullah. Middlesex, on 110 for three, lead by 214.

Close call for Prince, who has just survived a missed stumping from Kieswetter against Dockrell. He was on 5. 90-1 after 36 #SomvLancs

— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) July 2, 2014

Wicket: Luke Fletcher finally accounts for Chris Wright, caught behind by Chris Read. Warwickshire 120-4, needing 169 #WarksvNotts

— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) July 2, 2014

12.05pm - Another nightwatchman, Andrew Salter, lasts 51 balls before he becomes Morris' second victim for two. Glamorgan look to be happy to bat for a draw, with the score 12 for two in the 15th over at New Road. That could be a dangerous tactic with spin duo Saeed Ajmal and Moeen Ali in the hosts' ranks. 

WICKET Monty Panesar traps Will Gidman lbw for 40. 218 for 6. #EssvGlo

— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) July 2, 2014

11.49am - Nightwatchman Chris Wright is frustrating Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston. Fresh from his first-innings 65, the right-hander has 40 of Warwickshire's 109 for three, 180 runs away from victory. 

11.35am - Essex are on the victory trail. Ian Cockbain cannot repeat his heroic efforts from the recent draw with Surrey today. He departs to Ryan ten Doeschate to leave Gloucestershire trailing by 109 on 208 for five. 

Davies gone! He's been caught behind off Thomas for 41. Prince on his way to the crease. 65-1 in the 23rd. #SomvLancs

— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) July 2, 2014

11.14am - Yesterday's centurion Steven Crook continues his fine match against his former employers at Lord's. Middlesex batsman Neil Gubbins, who compiled a maiden first-class fifty in his first dig, hits the seamer to James Kettleborough to depart for 15.

11.11am - Charles Morris accounts for Tom Lancefield for the second time in the match at New Road, leaving Glamorgan one for one chasing 255. 

11.08am - Jonathan Trott fails to add to his overnight 19 as he fends a Peter Siddle bouncer to James Taylor at short-leg. 

Here they come... #middlesex150 pic.twitter.com/YH4vu0FfiE

— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) July 2, 2014

10.50am - Northamptonshire receive a double injury blow with the news that David Sales and Rob Keogh are expected to be sidelined for some time. Read more here. 

10.45am - While we wait for the action to start, why not read how Division Two leaders Hampshire batted out the final day at the Kia Oval to secure a draw against third-placed Surrey. 

A walk down the wicket before Day 4 https://t.co/WgtSYk8Oa7

— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 2, 2014

10.40am - Good morning and welcome to our LV= County Championship blog, with five matches reaching their conclusions today. Below is how things stand on the final day:

Division One

Warwickshire, on 61 for two, require another 228 runs to beat Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston. Jonathan Trott is unbeaten on 19 for the hosts. 

Middlesex are 30 for one at Lord's, leading bottom-placed Northamptonshire by 134. 

Lancashire, trailing Somerset by 159, are 59 without loss at Taunton. 

Division Two

Gloucestershire are 194 for four, still 123 runs in arrears, against Essex at the Essex County Ground. 

Glamorgan are nought without loss after one over in their pursuit of 355 to defeat Worcestershire at New Road.  

Ripley on Keogh injury - "Rob has dislocated a finger, which has shown to be broken. An operation won't be needed". pic.twitter.com/80Hpz0BQBh

— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) July 2, 2014

England selectors today announced a 13-man squad for the 1^st Investec Test against India commencing Wednesday 9 July at Trent Bridge.

Alastair Cook’s squad includes the 12 players selected for the recent Test series against Sri Lanka as well as 23-year-old Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes. Stokes has played four Tests so far in his international career, making his debut against Australia in Adelaide last year.

The Test series will be the first time since 1959 that India have played five Test matches on an England tour.

National selector, James Whitaker, said: “The selectors would like to congratulate all the players selected in the squad for the 1^st Investec Test against India and in particular Ben Stokes who returns to the squad having worked hard to regain his fitness following an injury this winter.

“This series against India will no doubt be a tough one and the selectors would like to wish Peter Moores, Alastair Cook, the coaches and players all the best for a good performance next week at Trent Bridge.”

England squad
Alastair Cook (Essex) (Capt)
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Gary Ballance (Yorkshire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Chris Jordan (Sussex)
Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire)
Matt Prior (Sussex)
Sam Robson (Middlesex)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today confirmed that Alfonso Thomas and Nathan Buck have received penalties under the ECB’s discipline code. 

Thomas was reported by umpires Rob Bailey and Peter Hartley during Somerset’s LV= County Championship match against Lancashire on 29^th June – 2^nd July 2014 for a Level Two breach of the code (throwing a ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner). The penalty for this offence is three penalty points.

Buck was reported by umpires Peter Willey and Steve O’Shaughnessy during Leicestershire’s NatWest T20 Blast match against Yorkshire on 1^st July 2014, for a Level One breach of the code (bowling a fast short pitched ball and/or accidental high full pitched ball that results in the bowler being disallowed from bowling any further in that innings). The penalty for this offence is a reprimand.

These penalties will remain on their records for a period of two years and the accumulation of nine or more penalty points in any two year period will result in an automatic suspension.

Worcestershire spinner Saeed Ajmal’s match-winning form has propelled him up to fifth in the overall FTI MVP rankings.

The Pakistan international took his LV= County Championship wicket-tally to 56 for the season, at an average of 15.91, with match figures of 12-140 in the crushing 249-run victory over Glamorgan that sent Worcestershire top of Division Two.

Ajmal, who has claimed six five-wicket hauls this term, is behind leader Tom Smith of Lancashire, Nottinghamshire’s Samit Patel, Kent’s Darren Stevens and Jim Allenby of Glamorgan in the overall standings.

The 36-year-old is also fourth in the LV=CC FTI MVP rankings.

Ajmal has also had an impact in lifting Worcestershire Rapids to the North Group summit in the NatWest T20 Blast, helping them secure six consecutive victories.

He has taken eight wickets in as many fixtures, conceding just six runs per over on average.

Another spinner in the top 10 is Warwickshire’s Jeetan Patel, who is one place below Ajmal in the overall rankings.

However, Patel sits a spot above Ajmal in the LV=CC FTI MVP standings courtesy of his 352 runs and 32 wickets.

OVERALL COUNTY FTI MVP

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced it had agreed an overseas TV rights deal with Fox Sports which will enable the broadcaster to screen live coverage of India’s tour of England to viewers in Australia.

Under the terms of the deal, Fox Sports will also show coverage of New Zealand’s international matches in England next summer and this weekend’s MCC v Rest of the World match at Lord’s.

Viewers in Australia will be able to see all the action in the five-match Investec Test Series between England and India which starts at Trent Bridge next Wednesday as well as The Royal London One-Day International Series and the NatWest International T20 fixture later in the summer.

ECB Chief Executive David Collier said: “Today’s announcement reflects the enormous interest India’s tour of England is generating right across the cricketing world and we are delighted that cricket fans in Australia will now be able to see every ball bowled when the teams meet this summer.”

FOX Sports CEO, Patrick Delany, said: “Cricket fans in Australia have been asking for television coverage of this tour and we are thrilled that we’ll be delivering exclusive coverage to thousands of Australian-based England and India fans who won’t want to miss a ball once the action starts next week. 

“The addition of the next two tours in England also rounds out our extensive schedule of international cricket over the next 12 months, including showing every game live of the 2015 Cricket World Cup,” Delany added.

ECB today announced a three year-deal with Etihad Airways which will see the carrier become England cricket’s first ever official airline.

The agreement means all England national squads across men’s, women’s, age-group and disability cricket will fly with the national airline of the United Arab Emirates.

In return, the airline will benefit from a comprehensive range of commercial rights including access to England players for promotional appearances, advertising at international grounds in England and Wales, tickets and hospitality packages.

The agreement will encompass England’s domestic international and overseas touring programme from 2014-2016, extend to winter training camps in the UAE involving England squads and also include a joint community-based cricket initiative.

ECB Chief Executive David Collier said: “We are delighted to welcome such a prestigious global brand as Etihad into our ever-expanding family of commercial partners. This is a major business partnership for ECB which will bring significant benefits to all our England teams and we will be working closely with Etihad to deliver maximum exposure for their brand.”

Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “The welcome addition of the England cricket team to our growing portfolio of global sporting associations demonstrates our commitment to the UK market and also to major international sporting events.

“Cricket enables Etihad Airways to create strong synergies between the key cricket playing nations and our major flight networks across the Indian subcontinent, Australia and the UK. Cricket forms an important part of our international marketing strategy, providing us with an ideal platform to further build our brand in the UK, and create a deeper connection with our guests through supporting one of England’s favourite sports.”

In addition to the England cricket team, Etihad Airways’ sports sponsorship portfolio includes Manchester City Football Club, the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) franchise cricket team – the Mumbai Indians, the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, GAA Hurling All Ireland Senior Championship, Major League Soccer in the US, and the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Etihad Airways currently operates three flights a day from London Heathrow, as well as a twice daily service from Manchester to Abu Dhabi, where passengers can connect to its network of destinations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Adam Voges could make a one-off appearance for Middlesex Panthers in tonight’s NatWest T20 Blast fixture against Glamorgan at Old Deer Park in Richmond.

The Panthers have agreed to accommodate the 34-year-old Australian, the club’s stand-in overseas player in 2013 following fellow Australian Chris Rogers’ international call-up, before he heads to the West Indies for the Caribbean Premier League.

Ex-Nottinghamshire player Voges also played in Middlesex’s second XI clash versus another former club Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl this week.  

Commenting on Voges’ week-long stint and a possible return to Lord’s in the future, Middlesex managing director of cricket Angus Fraser told the club’s official website: “We are more than happy to accommodate Adam for a week as he makes his way to the CPL.

“There is not an abundance of excellent, high-quality overseas players out there and we are keen to keep in contact with Adam.

“Last season Adam filled the void left by Chris Rogers superbly and is the sort of character we want at the club. As we sit here now we do not know of Chris’ availability next summer; hopefully he will be playing for Australia in the Ashes.

“Adam is someone we would seriously consider as an alternative if Chris is unavailable.”

Ryan Higgins, fresh from hitting a seagull against Sussex Sharks last Friday, keeps his place in a squad that is lacking the services of Rogers, Steven Finn, Sam Robson, Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones.

The Panthers have won just one of their eight matches in the South Group and face a Glamorgan side that can leapfrog the Sharks into fourth place with an away win.

The Welsh county are without West Indian Darren Sammy, who has returned to his homeland, and the injured Graham Wagg.

Murray Goodwin’s century for the club’s second XI this week has helped him win a recall to a 13-member party that also includes Will Bragg and Ruaidhri Smith.

In the North Group,Birmingham Bears can move into fourth position with victory over defending champions Northants Steelbacks at Wantage Road.

Jonathan Trott played in Warwickshire’s LV= County Championship triumph over Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston and sits out along with Keith Barker, but Oliver Hannon-Dalby is available to Bears director of cricket Dougie Brown. 

Good morning from the County Ground where the Steelbacks face @CricketingBears tonight in the @NatWestT20Blast. pic.twitter.com/VHCEdUASAO

— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) July 3, 2014

Brown is wary of the threat posed by the third-bottom Steelbacks, who are four points adrift of Yorkshire Vikings with this their game in hand, telling ecb.co.uk:“They’re a really dangerous Twenty20 side.

“You only have to look at the way they played their Twenty20 cricket last year – they are the defending champions.

“They’ve maybe started a bit slowly in the Twenty20 competition this year but they’re still there and there abouts and we know how dangerous they can be.

“They’ve got a number of power batters and we’re going to have to be at the top of our game if we’re going to guard against them getting off to a start.

“They’ve also got some really good death bowlers as well so they’ve got a very strong side.

“We’ve got to be very much on our toes. We’ve got to give our A-game tonight. We’ve got to be smart with our plans because we know, if we get our plans wrong as we saw last week against Derbyshire, they can really hurt you.”

David Sales, Rob Keogh and Olly Stone are all missing through injury for the Steelbacks, meaning fit-again skipper Kyle Coetzer, James Kettleborough and Maurice Chambers come into contention.  

Northamptonshire have signed Middlesex wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Rossington on a one-month loan deal.

Rossington will be available to the LV= County Championship first division strugglers in all formats and has been immediately drafted in for tonight’s NatWest T20 Blast clash against Birmingham Bears.

The 21-year-old, who has a first-class century in nine games, has been drafted in primarily to aid Northants’ batting stocks following a run of injuries.

“We currently have some batting injuries, with (David) Sales, (Rob) Keogh and (Rob) Newton all out, especially as Sales and Keogh will be out for decent length of time,” Northants head coach David Ripley said.

“We decided it is important to reinforce our batting depth. Adam has good experience in all formats and we are delighted to that he has agreed to join us for the next month.

“We would also like to thank Middlesex for agreeing to release Adam to us.”

Adam Rossington speaks to Steelback TV: http://t.co/oHdRwfQrm9 via @YouTube

— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) July 3, 2014

Rossington is regarded as a rising talent at Lord’s despite being unable to command a regular first-team place this season.

The most recent of his three championship appearances this term came in early May.

Middlesex's managing director of cricket, Angus Fraser, said: "Adam is a talented young cricketer who is ready to play first XI cricket.

“At Middlesex we have been unable to give him the opportunity and are happy for him to get the experience he needs elsewhere.

“The club has reserved the right to recall him back should we require his services. We look forward to welcoming him back to the Middlesex fold when his time at Northants finishes."

Kent Spitfires skipper Rob Key will undergo a late fitness test to determine whether he is fit enough to face Hampshire in the NatWest T20 Blast South Group clash tomorrow night.

The 35-year-old missed last night’s hammering to Surrey at the Kia Oval due to a hamstring strain sustained during the recent narrow defeat to Gloucestershire.

With the clash at the Spitfire Ground coming just two days after the trip to London, Kent will wait as long as possible before deciding on Key’s fitness.  

The opening batsman has been a vital asset to the Kent team this season, blazing 286 runs in eight matches with two half-centuries.

Spitfires head coach Jimmy Adams, whose side are one point off fourth-placed Sussex Sharks, told the club’s official website: “We are hopeful that Rob will be fine Friday night because as the skipper and leading batsman he adds a lot to the team.

“This has now become one of those ‘must-win’ matches if we are going to make the top four in the group and play in the quarter-finals.”

Australian seamer Doug Bollinger continues to rest a shoulder complaint, while injuries keep Ivan Thomas, Mark Davies and ex-Hampshire player David Griffiths sidelined.

With leaders Essex Eagles and second-placed Surrey, who are locked on 12 points with Hampshire, squaring off at the Essex County Ground, James Vince’s side know a return to winning ways will revive their hopes of a top-two finish in the South Group.

Like Kent last night, Hampshire were on the receiving end of a brutal assault from Surrey batsman Jason Roy, who blazed 63 off just 25 deliveries on Friday night.

Despite the convincing loss, Hampshire have kept faith with the same squad, with Michael Carberry and Matt Coles ecpected to feature against their former team.

Skipper Vince told the club’s official website: “We had a blip against Surrey on Friday night and we’re looking to bounce back with two wins in our next two games to give us a good chance for a home quarter-final. We all know we didn’t play well enough against Surrey and we’ll be looking to put it right against Kent.”

NatWest T20 Blast fact

* Hampshire have won seven of their last nine Twenty20 matches against Kent, including a 22-run triumph at the Ageas Bowl last month. 

By Callum Dent

First-team coach Jason Gillespie has demanded an improved performance from Yorkshire Vikings when they travel to face NatWest T20 Blast North Group leaders Worcestershire Rapids tomorrow night.

The Australian has named an unchanged squad for the trip to New Road, resisting the urge to make changes despite witnessing another disappointing performance with the bat at Headingley last night.

Chasing just 124 to defeat Durham Jets and move into third spot in the North Group, the White Rose were skittled for just 95.

The loss was the Tykes’ second in three outings following their defeat to Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Trent Bridge last Saturday.

Gillespie, whose side are without England trio Gary Ballance, Joe Root and Liam Plunkett, told the club’s official website: “There’s no question there is still hope there and this is just a disappointing chapter in our T20 season and we’ll certainly be giving our all at Worcester and we’ll bounce back.

 “We’ll be doing everything we can to improve and allow that to happen. The lads are hurting and are disappointed with their performance against Durham, as they should be.

“Our batting group certainly let down the fielding effort. To limit a side like Durham to 120-odd at the end of 20 overs was a fantastic achievement and to then back it up with a pretty poor batting display is very disappointing.

“We’ve just got to learn from these poor displays. We had a poor display against Notts with the bat and this is the second time it’s happened in the space of a week and it’s not good enough – we need to be better.”

Standing in the Vikings’ way in Worcester is a Rapids side brimming with confidence.

Daryl Mitchell’s side are at the summit of both the Blast North Group and LV= County Championship Division Two courtesy of an array of fine performances.

Last Friday’s washout at home to the Outlaws put paid to the Rapids extending their winning sequence to seven matches.

Seamer Charles Morris has been called into director of cricket Steve Rhodes’ 13-man squad, along with Ross Whiteley, following his impresssive display with the red ball this week.

Pakistan international spinner Saeed Ajmal has been an integral part of the Rapids rise to the summit, taking eight wickets in as many matches and conceding just six runs per over on average.

However, the Rapids are without Moeen Ali due to the all-rounder’s England commitments.

Rhodes is expecting a tough encounter with the Vikings, telling the club’s official website: "Yorkshire are playing really well. But we will just try and approach the game like we have with every single game really, to make sure we are doing our best to do our job right.

"Hopefully if we can do that, then it should be good enough to take care of the opposition.

"Again they are a team you must respect and they have got some terrific players.

"We will be doing our best to be on our 'A' game. It is quite tough for us when we haven't gone Moeen playing for us in a game like that.

"But we've got other guys who have come in and stood up and that is what is required in squad cricket."

NatWest T20 Blast facts

* All five of the Twenty20 matches between Worcestershire Rapids and Yorkshire Vikings have been won by the team batting first, who had won the toss on each occasion. 

* Saeed Ajmal is one of two players to take more than 20 wickets in English domestics T20s at an economy rate below six – Mushtaq Ahmed is the other. 

Jason Roy goes into the battle of the South Group’s top two possibly in the form of his life as the leading run-scorer in the NatWest T20 Blast.

In all competitions Roy’s last four innings are 79, 114, 63 and 76, all made at a scorching strike-rate. His Blast tally is a whopping 442 runs in eight innings at an average of 63.

Roy will open ahead of a powerful batting line-up that includes Kevin Pieteren, Steven Davies and Kevin O'Brien. 

Speaking exclusively to ecb.co.uk, Roy said:“It is a great feeling; of course it is. You’ve got the likes of Dilshan, Pietersen, Davies to come in the order. You just bat with a lot of freedom and I think that’s helped my game a load.”

On talk of earning England limited-overs selection, the 23-year-old added: “I just keep batting, doing my thing, and if they come knocking then I’ll be more than happy to put on that badge.

“(There’s) a lot of hard work to be done, a lot of runs to be scored, but (I’m) very happy with where I am at the moment.”

Group leaders Essex Eagles, two points ahead of Surrey having also played eight games, are set include international players Ravi Bopara and Jesse Ryder at the Essex County Ground.

NatWest T20 Blast fact

*Essex have won 12 of their 16 Twenty20 meetings with Surrey, including a five-wicket victory with seven balls to spare at the Kia Oval this season.

Liam Plunkett is feeling at home in the England set-up as he prepares for the prospect of facing India in the Investec Test Series, which starts on Wednesday at Trent Bridge.

The fast bowler, 29, returned to the Test team after a seven-year absence for the two matches with Sri Lanka last month.

He was unfortunate to take just two wickets at Lord’s but made up for that at Headingley, his home ground, with nine scalps, including international-best figures of 5-64 in the first innings thanks to some lethal short bowling.

Although Sri Lanka prevailed at the end of a thrilling series, Plunkett was pleased to make a positive return to the international game.

Speaking exclusively to ecb.co.uk, he said:“It was nice to prove to people I could perform at Test level and take some valuable wickets.

“It’s given me some confidence and (taken) a bit of pressure off and hopefully I can just continue now and enjoy the cricket that’s ahead.”

Plunkett, who is in his second season at Yorkshire after moving from Durham, puts his return to the England side down to growing up.

Having been overlooked for the Test team for so long, he was yesterday included in his third straight squad.

“I think I’ve just grown and matured a lot as a player,” he explained.

“I think when you’re younger maybe things come natural and you take things for granted.

“I’ve learnt a lot the last four, five years. I’ve taken that on board and I just feel I’m more consistent as a cricketer and at this moment in time I just want the ball in my hand, bat in my hand, (I'm) just enjoy(ing) the game again.”

Northants Steelbacks breathed life into their NatWest T20 Blast title defence with a 15-run defeat of Birmingham Bears at Wantage Road.

Defending an under-par 139 for eight, the home side restricted the visitors to 124 for nine and the victory moves them to within two points of the North Group qualifying places.

In the Bears’ chase, David Willey got rid of Varun Chopra early on and the dangerous Will Porterfield followed shortly after when Willey out-paced him before delivering a diving direct-hit at the striker’s end.

Jonathon Webb then charged James Middlebrook and missed, but while Shoaib Malik and Rikki Clarke were at the wicket the Bears were still favourites and even at 60 for three with half of the overs remaining they had their noses in front.

But two wickets for man-of-the-match Graeme White in the space of three balls, Clarke driving to extra-cover and Laurie Evans walking in front, dragged the Steelbacks right back into the contest.

But with Malik in good touch and capable of comfortably hitting the ball out of the ground, it was up in the air.

And so it remained to the final over which arrived with the visitors needing an unlikely 20.

Jeetan Patel had hit a few meaty boundaries but he could not get on strike when he needed to and the task ended up being too difficult.

Earlier, the home side had posted an under-par total of 139 for eight which was almost solely down to White’s 34 from 12 balls at number nine.

When he came to the crease in the 17th over, the score was a poor 90 for seven but in conjunction with Matt Spriegel, 50 were added in the final four overs to at least put up a defendable score.

It had all started particularly badly as Richard Levi went to the first ball of the game and when Willey, another of the trump cards, departed in the next over things were not particularly rosy for the hosts.

Loan signing Adam Rossington provided a brief glimpse of his ability before he became Patel’s first wicket - his 100th in Twenty20 cricket - and the off-spinner picked up two more as he applied the brake in the middle overs.

At the other end, Kyle Coetzer was struggling to get going and when he eventually fell his 40 had occupied 46 deliveries, the kind of strike-rate that prevents an innings from flourishing.

Neither Steven Crook or Ben Duckett could get going as they fell to Ateeq Javid and Patel respectively and when James Middlebrook lofted Chris Wright to long-on it looked as though 120 would be the limit of the hosts’ ambitions.

In the aftermath, the home side's matchwinner White said: "It was a big game for us. We knew, coming into this fixture that it was a must-win.

"We didn't start that well with the bat but all we were looking for was to try to get some sort of total to bowl at and we did that in the end."

As for his own performance, White added: "Sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn't but I seemed to be striking the ball well today and tried to take advantage of that and get us to a total we could defend."

Skipper Jim Allenby cracked 105 from 63 balls as Glamorgan snatched an impressive six-wicket win against Middlesex Panthers at Richmond to boost their hopes of quarter-final qualification from the NatWest T20 Blast’s South Group.

Allenby hit three sixes and 14 fours and was joined by his opening partner Jacques Rudolph in a record Twenty20 stand for Glamorgan of 136 after Middlesex had totalled 184 for three.

Dawid Malan had carried his bat for the Panthers, hitting 68, while Dan Christian thumped five sixes in a 29-ball 48.

Rudolph, the former South Africa Test batsman, contributed 42 from 35 balls to a partnership which beat Glamorgan’s previous T20 record – for both the first wicket and all wickets – of 129 between Matthew Elliott and Robert Croft against Gloucestershire at Bristol in 2005.

Eoin Morgan also made a 28-ball 41 for Middlesex, but with the ground’s short boundaries their total was never going to be enough once Allenby and Rudolph got going to provide a 2,000 crowd with even more entertainment.

In the end, despite Allenby’s eventual dismissal to James Harris in a 19th over in which Ben Wright also pulled his first ball straight to deep midwicket, Glamorgan – who needed just six runs from the last over – completed their fourth Blast victory of the season with three balls to spare to go into fourth place.

Allenby kicked off Glamorgan’s excellently-controlled chase by whipping James Harris for six over midwicket, and then taking four fours from fellow seamer Harry Podmore in the fifth over.

Rudolph twice reverse-swept Ravi Patel for four in an eighth over costing 14, and Allenby clubbed further sixes off both Neil Dexter and Christian before reaching his hundred – only Glamorgan’s second in Twenty20 – with a lovely extra-cover four off Harris from the first ball of the 19th over.

By then he had lost Rudolph, caught reverse-sweeping Dexter, and Mark Wallace, caught in the deep off Podmore after hitting a few valuable fours off the suffering Harris in a quickfire 18.

Glamorgan had needed only 49 from six overs when Rudolph was out, such was the perfect pacing of the chase by the two openers.

Middlesex began slowly, with just 10 runs from the first three overs, in which Joe Denly was quite brilliantly caught on the long-off boundary by a diving Stewart Walters for five, before Morgan ignited the innings.

Morgan pulled Michael Hogan for six in the fifth over, the ball sounding like a rifle crack off his bat, and he also launched Will Owen’s fast-medium over long-on for another maximum in a ninth over which cost 17 runs.

The scoring rate dipped again when Morgan fell, smartly held low to his left at cover by Hogan off left-arm spinner Dean Cosker, but after the hundred arrived in the 14th over the accelerator was pressed by Christian, who drove Cosker for three sixes in a 15th over that brought 22 runs.

Malan, in the same over, was dropped at deep midwicket by Chris Cooke, when the fielder clearly lost the ball in the low sun setting over Old Deer Park.

After Malan had completed a 38-ball fifty, Christian chose the 17th over to plunder two more sixes and a four off Hogan before Cooke atoned for his earlier miss by pulling off a superb low catch as he dived to his left on the cover boundary to end the Australian’s brutal innings.

There were two more sixes before Middlesex were finished, one each for Malan and Ryan Higgins hit straight off Owen in a 19th over that went for 17 runs. In the end, though, on a beautiful summer’s evening, it proved not to be enough.

Allenby said: "We didn't play at our best overall tonight, but we still did enough to win and it was a victory we really needed in terms of the group, especially as we have got a difficult game tomorrow evening against Somerset in Cardiff.

"It was also an important result because we hadn't won in our previous four group games, but it was a belter of a pitch and Jacques and I managed to get on a roll and put together a partnership."

Morgan said: "We batted well to post a good total, and certainly something to bowl at, but I reckon our fielding tonight cost us around 15 to 20 runs - and that was the main difference."

Scotland and Netherlands shared their one-day series after the third game was abandoned without a ball bowled in Glasgow.

The match was called off shortly after 2pm due to persistent rainfall at Titwood, the venue for all three fixtures.

That's it! Game has been abandoned, the series is drawn 1-1. pic.twitter.com/jZ6PKgeOxx

— Cricket Scotland (@CricketScotland) July 4, 2014

The highlight of the week for Scotland was Calum MacLeod's 145 when they levelled the series with a 144-run Duckworth/Lewis victory on Wednesday.

The visitors won by 44 runs on Tuesday in Grant Bradburn's debut as Scotland head coach.

Leicestershie Foxes welcome back Ireland wicketkeeper-batsman Niall O’Brien for the East Midlands derby with Northants Steelbacks at Grace Road.

O’Brien has missed Leicestershire’s last two NatWest T20 Blast games, a victory over Durham Jets and defeat to Yorkshire Vikings that have left them second-from-bottom in the North Group.

The Foxes are without injured seamer Richard Jones, who took a personal-best 5-34 versus Lancashire Lightning in his sole Blast appearance.

Holders Northants, who are two points behind the quarter-final spots, have named an unchanged squad from yesterday’s defeat of Birmingham Bears at Wantage Road.

That means they have on-loan Adam Rossington again available as he covers for injured batsmen David Sales, Rob Keogh and Rob Newton.

The game sees Josh Cobb and Davild Willey, who have both been man of the match in T20 finals, go head-to-head.

Andrew Flintoffcould make his long-awaited return to first-team cricket this evening after being named in Lancashire Lightning's NatWest T20 Blast squad to face Birmingham Bears.

Almost five years after his last professional match, when he helped England seal their Ashes triumph in 2009, the 36-year-old was announced in the Red Rose's squad for the clash at Edgbaston.

The all-rounder came out of retirement in May to play a part in the Blast campaign but has yet to feature for the Lightning, who lie second in the North Group.

He has made a couple of appearances for the second XI, even playing a 50-over match against Nottinghamshire when he thumped 40 off only 23 balls to help his side to victory.

Birmingham are sixth in the table, just a point behind the quarter-final places after yesterday’s 15-run defeat to holders Northants Steelbacks at Wantage Road.

The game will see Pakistan stars Shoaib Malik and Junaid Khan face one another as Malik makes his last appearance for the Bears before playing in the Caribbean Premier League.

Lancashire’s Steven Croft is set for his 96^th consecutive Twenty20 appearance, which will be a UK record.

NatWest T20 Blast fact

*Junaid Khan is one of three players with an average and strike-rate below 14 in English domestic T20s (minimum 250 balls bowled). Paul Collingwood and Adam Hollioake are the others.

Michael Carberry looks set to end his playing career with Hampshire after signing a three-year contract extension to keep him at the Ageas Bowl until the end of the 2017 season.

The 33-year-old, whose contract was due to expire at the end of this season, joined in 2006 from Kent and has played almost 300 times for Hampshire.

The left-handed batsman is the joint-holder of the highest partnership in Hampshire history after he and Neil McKenzie put on 523 for the third wicket in the LV= County Championship match against Yorkshire in August 2011.

He followed that with a stand of 373 alongside Jimmy Adams versus Somerset a month later, surpassing a 90-year-old second-wicket record along the way.

More recently, Carberry was the 2013 Hampshire batsman of the year after racking up 2,682 runs in all competitions last season.

Carberry, who has made 13 England appearances across all formats, said: “It’s taken some time but I’m pleased it’s now done and dusted and I can now just concentre on doing well for the club for the next three years and hopefully we can be successful.

“If we can secure promotion this year in the County Championship that would be great; it would be nice to play Division One cricket again soon and hopefully I can continue to do well for the club by scoring some runs. Hopefully, we can win some more silverware before I finish all together and I’m looking forward to the next three years.”

Hampshire director of cricket Giles White said: “As well as being an extremely popular figure at Hampshire, Michael is a proven match-winner and senior player that leads by example. It is great to have him around and playing his part in what promises to be an exciting period for the club.”

England Women will get their 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup qualification campaign underway this summer when they take on India in the first round of the new ICC Women’s Championship (ICC WC).

The ICC WC involves the top eight ranked women’s teams, with results determining qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup to be held in England and Wales in 2017.  

Over the next two and a half years all teams in the top eight will play each other in one-day Internationals at home or away to create an ICC WC league table with the top four teams qualifying automatically for the ICC Women’s World Cup.

Countries finishing in the bottom four of the table will take part in a World Cup qualification tournament against teams from the ICC’s regional structures to determine the final participants for the event in 2017.

Charlotte Edwards and her England side will be hoping to set the early pace in the ICC WC as they take on India in a three-match Royal London Women’s ODI series in August.  

The action gets underway with matches at Scarborough Cricket Club on Thursday August 21 and Saturday August 23, with the series culminating at Lord’s on Monday August 25.

ECB has also announced today that all three Royal London Women’s ODI matches against India this summer will be streamed live around the world on the ECB’s YouTube channel.

Ahead of the ODI series, England will start their international summer by taking on India in a Test match at Wormsley Cricket Ground from August 13-16. BBC Radio will be providing live ball-by-ball commentary of the Test via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and online at www.bbc.co.uk/cricket.

ECB Head of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: “The ICC Women’s Championship represents a significant step for the global development of the women’s game.

“For the first time, international women’s cricket will follow a long-term future tours programme to generate a meaningful ranking system to decide which countries qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup in England in 2017.

“It is hoped that the ICC WC will increase the profile and competitiveness of the women’s game outside of World Cup years, as it guarantees a regular and balanced programme of ODI cricket, with more countries involved than ever before.

“It is exciting that England Women will be involved in the first round of these matches and for them to be streamed live via the ECB’s YouTube channel allows cricket fans across the world to tune in and watch the action unfold.”

Following the three ODIs against India, England will welcome South Africa women for a three match NatWest Twenty20 International series. All three matches will be shown live on Sky Sports, with the third match on Sunday September 7 being played before the men’s NatWest T20 International between England and India at Edgbaston.

The Essex County Ground in Chelmsford will host the first IT20 on Monday, September 1 and the County Ground, Northampton, will be the venue for second game on Wednesday, September 3.

By Rob Barnett

When Shoaib Malik and Junaid Khan face off in the NatWest T20 Blast this evening their clash will capture the imagination of cricket fans throughout England and Pakistan.

Twenty20 is a global cricket brand, so the showdown of Birmingham Bears all-rounder Malik and Lancashire Lightning paceman Junaid will be of huge interest in the shires and on the sub-continent.

Malik and Junaid’s glittering Blast displays have already made a massive impact on the pitch and social media alike.

To heighten the stakes further, this is Malik’s last appearance before jetting off for the Caribbean Premier League and Junaid could line up alongside former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

While Malik’s 47 yesterday in defeat to defending champions Northants Steelbacks, his fifty versus high-flying Worcestershire Royals and two cheap wickets against Notts Outlaws hinted at his outstanding talent, he will be determined to end on a high.

Aiming to stop the 2009 World Twenty20 winner is countryman Junaid, whose brilliant bowling has been a feature of Blast.

Junaid boasts 14 wickets at an impressive economy of 6.5 runs an over, with four of those coming in Lancashire’s 15-run win over Birmingham for a cost of just 12 runs in four overs.

That reverse fixture was before Malik started his seven-game stint with the Bears, whose director of cricket Dougie Brown is excited at the prospect of the Pakistan team-mates locking horns.

Speaking exclusively to ecb.co.uk, he said:“It’s going to be interesting. I’m sure Malik will know him very well. They’ve played with and against each other over the past few years.

“We know Junaid Khan is an outstanding performer in Twenty20 cricket. He gets his yorkers in brilliantly at the end.

“We know that we’re going to have to do something and be proactive against that because we can’t just assume that he’s going to miss his area and that we’re going to hit him back over his head.

“We’ve got to expect him to get all of his balls in the perfect area to close the game out. It’ll be interesting.

“It’ll be something that we speak about and clearly Malik will have his own ideas, having played with and against him.

“I’ll be interested to pick his brain as to how best he thinks we can counter that. But clearly Malik’s a world-class player and world-class players have a way of making the game look pretty simple when they’re playing at their best.

“Hopefully he’s got something up his sleeve. Hopefully he can produce it.”

Beside’s the fixture’s interest worldwide, it will have a significant bearing on the North Group with Lancashire able to go top and Birmingham needing victory to boost their quarter-final prospects.

While Brown remains focussed on getting the Bears to finals day at their Edgbaston home on August 23, he is also mindful of the wider impact the Pakistan pair give the match.

“Because we’re actively involved in this tournament at this time we don’t pick up the interest in it from around the globe,” he added.

“Twenty20 has picked up a lot of momentum over the last few years and I think a lot of players internationally will be looking at the Twenty20 Blast and be thinking ‘well that might be an opportunity for me down the line’.

“We know that there’s a lot of interest from a playing perspective globally. We’re probably less aware of the implications of the game we’re going to play against Lancashire.

“Clearly it’s a big game for the supporters of Pakistan cricket because you’ve got two outstanding Pakistani players, both of whom have played at the top of the game in Twenty20 and are doing so at the moment at the top of their game in Twenty20 cricket, going head-to-head with each other.

“With regards to sub-continent cricket, it certainly seems to be in pretty good order and it’s nice to see some players from that neck of the woods come in and dominating our competition as well.”

Even if Malik took a while to find his form for Birmingham, he has pleased former Scotland all-rounder Brown.

“He’s been fantastic for us,” enthused Brown, who spoke to ecb.co.uk a month ago about signing Malik.

“He’s scored some really impressive runs; he’s bowled some significant overs; he’s bowled really well; he’s bowled through the powerplay; he’s been a very enthusiastic fielder; he’s affected a couple of run-outs; and he’s fitted into the environment particularly well.

“He’s proved to be one of our leading lights in Twenty20 cricket. We’re looking for a great performance from him as he signs off with the Birmingham Bears.”

NatWest T20 Blast fact

*Junaid Khan is one of three players with an average and strike-rate below 14 in English domestic T20s (minimum 250 balls bowled). Paul Collingwood and Adam Hollioake are the others.