A wrap of today's LV= County Championship action with Worcestershire increasing their lead at the top of Division Two while Kent boosted their promotion bid with victory over Surrey. Jonathan Trott also hit his first hundred since his return to cricket.

By Rob Barnett & Matt Somerford

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6.50pm - Here is a re-cap of what happened today.

Division One

Jonathan Trott scored his first century of the summer for Warwickshire, but Sussex hold the power as they closed on 202 for four - to lead by 284 runs - with skipper Ed Joyce to decide when to declare in the morning.

Division Two

Worcestershire increased their lead at the top of the division to a healthy 43 points as they beat Gloucestershire by eight wickets at Cheltenham.

Kent stepped up their promotion push with an 89-run win over second-placed Surrey at Guildford. Evergreen all-rounder Darren Stevens took 5-68 as Surrey were bowled out for 213 on the final day. 

6.32pm - A curious final over of the day at Horsham as Chris Jordan plays out a maiden after the previous two overs went for 20. Sussex close on 202 for for and that represents a lead of 284. They will probably want more quick runs in the morning before a declaration.

WICKETS - Rankin grabs 2 in an over, removing Joyce and Cachopa. Sussex 184-4 #YouBears

— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) July 23, 2014

6.13pm - Craig Cachopa has ticked over to his half-century from 67 balls for Sussex in the only match still going this afternoon. The former New Zealand Under-19s batsman only signed a deal last week - it looks like good business.

5.58pm – RESULT! Worcestershire (395 & 51/2) beat Gloucestershire (156 & 289) by eight wickets at Cheltenham. The Pears extend their lead atop Division Two thanks to a win they had to wait longer than expected for thanks to Liam Norwell and Craig Miles’ last-wicket heroics. Their batsmen wasted little time knocking off their 51-run target though - they got there in 7.4 overs.

That's 50 for @edjoyce24 as he pushes Barker through the covers for two. Sussex on to 151/2 now at Horsham. A lead of 231 #GOSBTS

— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) July 23, 2014

5.46pm - Oliver has followed Mitchell back to the pavilion with the score still on 33. Benny Howell striking with his first ball. The margin of victory for Worcestershire is not going to be as emphatic.

5.42pm - Worcestershire are pretty keen to wrap up matters quickly at Cheltenham and enjoy the festival atmosphere there. Daryl Mitchell has just departed for 15 from 14 balls but Richard Oliver is going strong with 18 off nine balls. The Pears are 33 for one after four over - they need 18 more.

5.35pm - That score of 78 by Norwell is the highest score by a Gloucestershire number 11 in first-class cricket. 

Gloucestershire 289 all out. Miles 62 not out, Norwell bowled Morris 78. Stand of 137. Worcestershire require 51 to win. #BDCheltFest

— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) July 23, 2014

5.05pm - RESULT! Kent (408 & 292) defeat Surrey (398 & 213) by 89 runs at Guildford. The visitors prevail on an exciting last day that saw Surrey go after a target of 303 and falter doing so.

4.46pm – Ed Joyce and Luke Wells share a fifty partnership before the latter is caught and bowled for 31 by Jeetan Patel with Sussex 150 ahead of Warwickshire.

Tea. Glos 261 / 9 & lead by 21. Superb century stand from @LCNorwell24& @CMiles34. Scorecard: http://t.co/lux4bD0MGWpic.twitter.com/RA3xvaYXHv

— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) July 23, 2014

Surrey 206-9...Batty c Riley b Stevens 15

— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) July 23, 2014

4.32pm – Liam Norwell and Craig Miles remarkably each register fifties and share an unbroken century partnership to give Gloucestershire a slender lead. It’s now tea at Cheltenham with the hosts 261 for nine, 22 ahead.

Darren Stevens has Stuart Meaker caught behind, leaving Kent two wickets from victory and Surrey 108 runs.

3.51pm – Warwickshire's Chris Woakes strikes an early blow, snaring Chris Nash caught behind.

Gloucestershire 204-9. Half-century stand for last wicket between Miles 33 and Norwell 23. #BDCheltFest

— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) July 23, 2014

3.42pm – It’s tea at Guildford with Surrey on 180 for seven, theoretically needing 123 more to win but realistically batting for a draw.

Sussex start their second innings with a lead of 80.

3.34pm – Surrey skipper Gary Wilson was playing sensibly but Stevens has his scalp for 27, making the Guildford hosts 175 for seven.

Last-wicket pair Craig Miles and Liam Norwell are delaying the inevitable for Gloucestershire.

Thanks to the @TheRLCBand who entertained the crowds today at the @brewindolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival pic.twitter.com/qcEJ8iBH6I

— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) July 23, 2014

WICKET and ALL OUT..Warwickshire are bowled out for 333 at Horsham as Hatchett takes the final wicket. TEA will now be taken #GOSBTS

— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) July 23, 2014

3.07pm – Kent must be favourites for victory now as Dilshan departs to Darren Stevens for 68 from 64 deliveries, making the hosts 158 for six.

Sussex’s Steve Magoffin has Patel caught behind for 32, halting a ninth-wicket stand of 60 with Woakes.

Gloucestershire 132-9. Rouse caught second slip off Leach 15. #BDCheltFest

— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) July 23, 2014

2.40pm – Worcestershire move two wickets from victory when Jack Shantry bowls Benny Howell for 24.

Warwickshire bank a third batting point thanks to Chris Woakes and Jeetan Patel.

Dilshan moves to fifty from 36 balls with 11x4 pic.twitter.com/ILYZPfP136

— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) July 23, 2014

2.32pm – No, Surrey are very much chasing victory as Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 36-ball fifty shows. The Sri Lanka star perhaps holds the key to the outcome.

2.25pm – Surrey are in strife now, Jason Roy going lbw to Claydon for 13 from 12 balls. They surely have to play for a draw?

Gloucestershire 133-7, still needing 106 to make Worcestershire bat again. Cockbain lbw Shantry 15. Howell 24 not out. #BDCheltFest

— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) July 23, 2014

2.07pm – Surrey are going after a target of 303, but it could cost them the game. They slip to 82 for four when Steven Davies falls to Mitch Claydon for a 21-ball 25.

The wicket of Keith Barker was the 50th @LV_Cricket Championship wicket of the summer for STEVE MAGOFFIN @magsy64#GOSBTS

— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) July 23, 2014

WICKET..Barker edges to Chris Jordan at slip and Steve Magoffin strikes! Warwickshire 266 for 8 now at Horsham #GOSBTS

— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) July 23, 2014

1.47pm – There’s a wicket in each game soon after lunch. Sussex’s Chris Jordan gets Rikki Clarke caught behind for 24, Surrey’s Vikram Solanki falls to Calum Haggett and Worcestershire’s Charlie Morris has Will Gidman held at square-leg.

1.15pm – While eating lunch, why not digest the news that Yorkshire and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson has been banned from bowling by the ICC?

1.07pm – Here are the scores on the doors:

Division One

Jonathan Trott was out for 106 to herald lunch with Warwickshire247 for sixin reply to Sussex’s 413 on day three at Horsham.

Division Two

Surrey, on 43 for two, need 260 more runs and Kent eight wickets to win on the last day at Guildford. Stuart Meaker took 7-90 as the visitors were today dismissed for 292 with Sam Billings 57 not out.

Gloucestershire are in trouble at 103 for five, following on against leaders Worcestershire on day three at Cheltenham. The hosts still trail by 136.

1pm –Trott is caught behind for 106 off Steve Magoffin, having just shared a fifty partnership with Rikki Clarke. Doubtless Trott will be delighted with his first century since returning from stress-related problems. We’ll soon round up the lunch scores.

12.53pm – Surrey suffer a second early blow when Haggett gets Zafar Ansari caught behind via an inside edge.

That's 100 for Jonathan Trott as he flicks Chris Jordan off his hips for four runs. 224 balls it took him. Warwickshire 236/5 #GOSBTS

— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) July 23, 2014

12.34pm – Claydon has Rory Burns caught behind for a run-a-ball 11 early in Surrey’s chase.

Sussex take the new ball with Trott on 97.

Gloucestershire 84-5. Marshall caught behind off Shantry 15. #BDCheltFest

— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) July 23, 2014

12.24pm – Jack Shantry breaks a stand of 49 between Alex Gidman and Hamish Marshall by bowling the former for 37. Gloucestershire are in deep trouble at 79 for four, following on, still 160 behind.

Trott is into the nineties for Warwickshire…

And @SMeaker18 makes his way off with the ball that brought him 7 wickets @GuildfordCCpic.twitter.com/iHF4FwcoIR

— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) July 23, 2014

12.14pm – Meaker fittingly ends Kent’s innings by dismissing Adam Riley for nought, earning figures of 7-90 and leaving Billings unbeaten on 57. Surrey need 303 for victory, which would move them up a place to second in the Division Two table.

12.02pm – Tim Linley gets rid of Charlie Hartley for nought so Kent are nine down.

50 for Billings! Sam's half century came from 85 balls including 5x 4s. Kent 286/8 (80 overs) #SURvKEN

— Kent Cricket (@kentcricket) July 23, 2014

11.46am – Meaker and McClenaghan strike again! The former ousts Mitch Claydon, leaving Kent 283 ahead with two wickets left, and the latter snares Will Tavare, making Gloucestershire 30 for three.

Tim Ambrose plays on to Chris Jordan, reducing Warwickshire to 193 for five. Half-centurion Jonathan Trott remains in situ.

11.28am – Surrey's Stuart Meaker makes an important breakthrough for his fifth wicket of the innings. Calum Haggett goes for 44, ending a stand of 85 with Sam Billings.

Gloucestershire suffer an early blow when New Zealand paceman Mitchell McClenaghan has nightwatchman Tom Smith caught behind.

Another glorious day. Come on @SussexCCCpic.twitter.com/YIPRZxurzR

— KirstieH (@Kirstie2k11) July 23, 2014

WICKET..Hain is pouched at first slip by Chris Jordan as the batsman goes back to Tredwell. Warwickshire 176 for 4 now at Horsham #GOSBTS

— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) July 23, 2014

11am – While waiting for the action to unfold, why not read our exclusive interview with Chris Jordan about his England debut at the Ageas Bowl and the Test there starting on Sunday?

10.50am – There were two championship results yesterday: Yorkshire sensationally took Middlesex’s last six wickets after tea on the last day at Scarborough to go top of Division One and Division-Two Derbyshire made it two wins in a row for the first time this year.

10.40am – Hello and welcome to our LV= County Championship blog. Here’s how the remaining games stand:

Division One

Jonathan Trott is unbeaten on 62 after Warwickshire closed day two on 163 for three as they set after Sussex's first-innings 413 at Horsham.

Division Two

Leaders Worcestershire appear on course for another win after asking Gloucestershire to follow on, 239 runs behind, and then reducing them to 10 for one at stumps on the second day.

Kent are 229 for six and leading by 239 runs against fellow promotion-chasers Surrey following three days at Guildford. Stuart Meaker has 4-67 for the Brown Caps.

By Callum Dent

Chris Jordan believes the Ageas Bowl crowd can inspire England to victory in the third Investec Test against India.

The hosts need to win to square the series with two games to play, having lost by 95 runs at Lord’s.

Jordan has fond memories of the ground in Southampton, having made his one-day international debut there in the winner-takes-all clash with Australia last summer.

Although the tourists claimed victory in the match and series courtesy of a stunning innings of 143 from Shane Watson, Jordan announced himself on the international stage with a fine bowling performance.

Roared on by the Hampshire faithful, the paceman accounted for Phil Hughes, Michael Clarke and James Faulkner in figures of 3-51 from 10 overs.

And turning his attentions to the third contest in the five-match series, which starts on Sunday, Jordan is hoping the local fans can again get behind Alastair Cook’s side.

Jordan told ecb.co.uk: “I have some brilliant memories here in terms of personal achievements, although the result did not go to plan.

“Coming into the series and making my debut in a decider was very exciting. The crowd here were right behind the team, very vibrant and electric, so hopefully we can have more of that in the Test series, which will be a very key and important game at the Ageas Bowl.

“Hopefully we can be in a position where we win the key moments and make this a memorable Test match for everyone involved with Hampshire and England.

“When the crowd come out and the players really connect with the crowd, they really enjoy it and then the players end up performing a lot on adrenaline as well, which is really good.

“That puts you in a position to take a spectacular catch, bowl a spectacular ball or play that spectacular innings. I expect the crowd to be similar.

“It’s a good cricket pitch which hopefully can be prepared for the Test match also. It’s good for batting and you normally get decent carry when bowling. That will make for a good spectacle.”

Jordan is adamant the experience of playing an international match at the Ageas Bowl before will stand him in good stead if he gets the nod on Sunday.

Learn how to hit the ball like Chris Jordan! Free kids coaching at The Ageas Bowl during the #EngvInd Test Match. pic.twitter.com/BbIPSEQuU5

— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) July 3, 2014

The Sussex player said: “I have played first-class games here as well. Having not played an international game at that point, I was very nervous.

“I still get nervous but, having had a few games under my belt now, I will be coming back here a bit more confident if I get the nod.

“That will hopefully help me to put in a really good performance for England.”

Hampshire have produced an initiative to attract kids to the Test, which takes place during the school holidays.

The club will provide an array of attractions and coaching sessions to connect with the next generation.

And Jordan is fully behind the idea of promoting Test cricket to youngsters.

“I have been working with some kids and they really enjoyed it and got stuck in. This will be a big step to inspire a new generation,” Jordan added.

Lancashire Lightning will finish top of the NatWest T20 Blast North Group with victory over Durham Jets at Emirates Old Trafford tomorrow night.

The Lightning have already sealed a home quarter-final for the first time in five years - when they lost in an idoor bowl-out to Somerset - and are strong favourites to overcome a Jets side that cannot make the last eight.

Lancashire will, however, be without expert death bowler Junaid Khan after he played his final game of the competition in last Friday’s 35-run win over Derbyshire Falcons.

Junaid has been a key part of the Lightning’s stellar campaign – they lost just once after his slightly delayed arrival – as the Pakistan international took 19 wickets at an average of 14.

Junaid has returned to Pakistan to prepare for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka and will not be back for the knockout stages.

The Lightning batsmen have shown they can ease the burden on their bowlers after pummelling the two highest scores in this year’s competition this month.

Half-centuries from Ashwell Prince and Karl Brown helped them rack up 225 for seven against the Falcons last time out – which was just four runs shy of the total they registered on Andrew Flintoff’s return against Worcestershire Rapids at New Road.

The Lightning have shared the scoring load with five batsmen having made more than 200 runs, although Jos Buttler will miss out after his call-up to England’s squad for the third Investec Test against India.

By comparison the Jets have struggled for runs this season with their top-scorer Callum MacLeod – who has hit 289 runs at 41.28 – the 32nd highest runscorer in the tournament.

Durham were able to welcome Graham Onions back in their previous match and he obliged with 3-15 in a three-wicket defeat to Leicestershire Foxes, which ultimately ended their bid to get out of the group.

In addition to the absences of Junaid and Buttler, Lancashire will also be without in-form opener Tom Smith while Flintoff is also not in their 13-man squad.

Wicketkeeper Alex Davies and Kabir Ali will likely return while Usman Khawaja, Kyle Jarvis and Kyle Hogg could make their first appearances in the competition this season.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni reflects on his team’s 95-run win over England in the second Investec Test, only the second victory at Lord’s in India’s Test history.

England captain Alastair Cook offers an honest appraisal of England’s 95-run defeat by India in the second Investec Test at Lord’s.

With England’s cricket team in a rebuilding process, former Proteas captain Shaun Pollock considers the challenges of transition, which are also in the minds of the South African selectors.

Afghanistan benefited from a stunning Zimbabwe collapse to claim an historic 100-run win to draw their four-match one-day international series in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe slumped to 29 for six, in pursuit of Afghanistan’s 259, and were never able to recover as they were bowled out for 159 in 38 overs.

Afghanistan’s success meant they claimed a first-ever drawn series against a Test-playing nation, in any format, having recovered from 2-0 down.

Wicketkeeper Shaifiquallah’s half-century ensured a defendable target, after the Afghanistan top-order all got starts without going on, before Sharafuddin Ashraf’s 3-29 was the best of a choking bowling performance.

It could have been even worse for Zimbabwe but for a 97-run seventh-wicket stand between Richmond Mutumbani, who top-scored with 64, and Timycen Maruma.

Zimbabwe right-armer Donald Tiripano had earlier snared 5-63 in just his third ODI.

After Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor elected to field Tiripano dismissed Javed Ahmadi and Usman Ghani inside the first eight overs.

The Afghanistan innings was then punctuated by played getting past 30, but not beyond 40.

Shaifiquallah eventually injected some momentum into the innings, though, as he blasted 56 from 43 balls before he fell when Tiripano returned.

Tiripano then ended the innings prematurely when last man Aftab Alam holed out to Taylor.

Zimbabwe's reply got off to a poor start, when they lost Regis Chakabva top Aftab in the sixth over to be 14 for one.

It would get far worse though as they then lost five for seven in a 29 balls burst to virtually settle the contest.

Mutumbami and Maruma set about repairing Zimbabwe's innings, but they were left with too much to do despite the wicketkeeper reaching his fifty from 57 balls.

Mahela Jayawardene's unbeaten century helped Sri Lanka recover from a shaky start to finish 305 for five on day one of the second and final Test against South Africa.

Jayawardene, who will retire from Test cricket next month, had hit 140 in 225 balls by the close of play in Colombo, including 16 fours and one six. It was the 34th Test century of his career.

The superb innings was much-needed as Sri Lanka fell to 16 for two early on before Jayawardene stabilised the innings alongside first Kaushal Silva and then captain Angelo Mathews, who hit 63.

South Africa need only a draw to clinch the series, having won the first Test at Galle, and with it reclaim the number one Test ranking from Australia.

Earlier in the day, Mathews had won the toss and elected to bat but Dale Steyn, who took 2-55, did his best to make that decision look foolish as he removed both Upul Tharanga and Kumar Sangakkara in successive balls.

Two short deliveries did for the duo as Tharanga gloved the ball behind before Sangakkara edged to Imran Tahir - both in the fifth over.

Silva almost followed his team-mates back to the pavilion soon after but his nick was dropped by Alviro Petersen.

Jayawardene gradually imposed calm on proceedings, building a valuable 99-run partnership with Silva, who was eventually caught in the slips off JP Duminy shortly before lunch.

Sri Lanka had moved the score on to 115 by that stage and with Mathews settling into the game, Jayawardene passed his century, sweeping Dean Elgar's full toss in the last over before tea.

The experienced pair added 131 runs to the total before Mathews was caught behind trying to cut Duminy.

South Africa edged back into the contest late on as Morne Morkel lured Kithuruwan Vithanage into an edge which was caught by AB de Villiers.

As Jaywardene approached 150, Niroshan Dickwella added 12 on his Test debut before the close of play.

Worcestershire Rapids will seal their place in the NatWest T20 Blast quarter-finals if they avoid defeat against Derbyshire Falcons at New Road tomorrow night.

The Rapids could even snatch a home last-eight tie, should Notts Outlaws lose at Yorkshire Vikings and they make up the difference in net run-rate.

New overseas signing Mitchell McClenaghan is set to make his home Twenty20 bow after he was drafted in to replace prolific wicket-taker Saeed Ajmal.

The New Zealand quick has big shoes to fill, although his arrival helped the Rapids arrest a four-game winless run as they beat defending champions Northants Steelbacks by 31 runs on his debut last time out.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes has kept faith with the XI from that game with all-rounder Gareth Andrew and paceman Chris Russell also included in the 13-man squad.

Derbyshire will look to try and end a difficult campaign on a high after managing just a single win from their 13 matches so far to be bottom of the North Group.

Essex Eagles head coach Paul Grayson has called on his side to get back to winning ways before the NatWest T20 Blastquarter-finals.

The Eagles were the first team in the competition to secure a last-eight place - after winning 10 of their opening 11 games – but back-to-back defeats have sucked some of the momentum out of their campaign.

Grayson hopes to rediscover their blistering form when Sussex Sharks visit the Essex County Ground in their final group-stage game tomorrow night.

Victory would not only send the Eagles into their home quarter-final next week in a positive frame of mind, but also assure top place in the South Group – and therefore a knockout game against the lowest-ranked team in the north.

"We've played so well in this competition and we want to finish on a winning note," Grayson said.

"We had a good game with Gloucestershire at the start of the week, although we lost, but I didn't think we played very well the other night against Hampshire when we came up short in all three areas.

"We want to finish these round of matches with a bang, give the crowd something to enjoy and go into the quarter-final full of confidence."

Kishen Velani and Greg Smith have been named in the 13-man squad while Reece Topley is fit to return following a back strain. Ben Foakes is rested.

Sussex can not progress out of the group, but have plenty of match-winners, most notably opener Luke Wright who piled up the second-highest score of this season’s competition against Hampshire last Friday night.

The 29-year-old smacked 116 from 66 balls as the Sharks fell agonisingly six runs short of their victory target.

Anya Shrubsole has relished the opportunity to lead the England Women bowling attack in the absence of the injured Katherine Brunt.

With a back problem sidelining Brunt for some time, Shrubsole stepped up to the plate and became a leading performer for her country.

The 22-year-old seamer was an integral member of Charlotte Edwards’ double Ashes-winning side and was named player of the tournament at April’s World Twenty20.

Ahead of facing India and South Africa later this summer, Shrubsole told ecb.co.uk:“When Katherine is in the team she is the leader of the attack so I do look to try and take that on in her absence. 

“As a group I think we all have that responsibility and we have done quite well. It has been good recently to nail down a position in the team and play an important role.”

The Somerset player took 15 wickets in two multi-format Ashes series before starring at the World T20 in Bangladesh, snaring 13 scalps in six matches as England finished runners-up to Australia.

When asked if they were the best days of her career, Shrubsole - who also had to overcome a couple of niggling injuries - replied: “Definitely. Winning back-to-back Ashes in such a short period of time and reaching the final of the World Twenty20 in such a short period of time is unprecedented.

“It has been a highlight of my career for sure. I think if you told us eight or nine months ago that we would win both Ashes and go to the World Cup final then we would have taken that for sure.”

Despite her fine performances, Shrubsole is keeping her feet on the ground due to the amount of fellow youngsters emerging through the ranks.

She added: “There is so much talent at the moment. We saw (Rebecca) Grundy come in at the World Twenty20 and do well on her first tour and Kate Cross was impressive during the Ashes in Australia.

“Competition for places is a good thing and it does make you work harder.”

The England selectors today announced a 13-man squad captained by Nottinghamshire’s James Taylor for England Lions’ forthcoming series against New Zealand ‘A’ and Sri Lanka ‘A’ next month.

The squad, which will be coached by the ECB’s Technical Director of Elite Coaching Andy Flower, will play two 50-over matches against each of the touring teams as part of a triangular series.

Commenting on the squad, National Selector James Whitaker said: “With the Royal London One-Day International series against India rapidly approaching and next winter’s tour to Sri Lanka and ICC Cricket World Cup also firmly in our sights, this is the perfect opportunity for these players to impress the selectors in the 50-over format of the game.

“We are delighted to welcome Ravi Patel from Middlesex into a Lions squad for the first time and look forward to what promises to be a closely contested series against two highly competitive touring sides.”

England Lions squad:

James Taylor (Nottinghamshire) captain

Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)

Ravi Bopara (Essex)

Steven Finn (Middlesex)

Stephen Parry (Lancashire)

Harry Gurney (Nottinghamshire)

Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)

Craig Overton (Somerset)

Jason Roy (Surrey)

Ravi Patel (Middlesex)

Tom Smith (Lancashire)

James Vince (Hampshire)

David Willey (Northamptonshire)

Coach: Andy Flower

Triangular Series schedule:

Tuesday August 5: New Zealand ‘A’ v Sri Lanka ‘A’ – Taunton

Wednesday August 6: England Lions v Sri Lanka ‘A’ – Taunton

Friday August 8: England Lions v New Zealand ‘A’ – Bristol

Saturday August 9: New Zealand ‘A’ v Sri Lanka ‘A’ – Bristol

Monday August 11: England Lions v Sri Lanka ‘A’ – Worcester

Tuesday August 12: England Lions v New Zealand ‘A’ – Worcester

By Rob Barnett

Adam Lyth wants to see Aaron Finch "go out on a high and smack Notts Outlaws everywhere” tomorrow evening to give Yorkshire Vikings a NatWest T20 Blast quarter-final place.

Australia master-blaster Finch was arguably the biggest signing of the competition, but he has not done himself justice with just 167 runs in nine innings at an average of 18.55.

Finch’s major contribution so far was 88 in victory over Roses rivals Lancashire Lightning at Emirates Old Trafford.

However, the top-ranked Twenty20 international batsman and holder of the highest format score, 165 from 63 balls made versus England last summer, is yet to fully fire.

The muscular right-hander has one last chance to impress the Yorkshire faithful when he makes his final appearance for the county before flying home on Saturday.

And the stakes are high with the Vikings needing victory to be sure of reaching the last eight.

Lyth, who talked up Finch earlier this season, today exclusively told ecb.co.uk: “You don’t want to rely on any one certain player. It’s been very nice to see everyone contributing and put in winning performances. Long may that continue.

“It would be nice to see Aaron Finch to go out on a high and smack Notts Outlaws everywhere.

“It’ll be nice if he comes off on Friday night but if he doesn’t we’ve got five or six other very good batsmen who can do that job.”

Diminutive batsman Lyth, who has struggled for Blast runs even more than Finch, hopes to be one of the players following on from the top-order hitter.

Although Finch and Lyth are yet to deliver with the bat, they have fronted a formidable fielding unit.

Most notably, they have combined for two brilliant boundary catches when Lyth, jumping over the rope at long-on, has acrobatically held a catch and relayed it to Finch, running round from long-off, to complete sensational dismissals.

They first did it at Old Trafford to oust in-form Tom Smith and remarkably repeated the trick at Headingley, removing Leicestershire Foxes dangerman Josh Cobb.

“I wouldn’t say we’ve worked on it any more than other years; it’s just that both catches have been on TV so everyone’s seen them,” Lyth said.

“But we do practice that sort of catch and hopefully there’ll be more to come.”

Another in victory tomorrow evening would not go amiss and Yorkshire, who have included 16-year-old seamer Matthew Fisher in their squad, approach the game on a high having beaten Middlesex at Scarborough on Tuesday to go top of the LV= County Championship.

Attention has now turned to Blast progression against opponents who have secured a quarter-final berth by defeating Northants Steelbacks yesterday and will be gunning for a home tie.

“Our priority is to try to win this game on Friday night when there should be a very good crowd,” Lyth added.

“We want to put a show on for all the fans and get into the quarter-finals. We’re looking forward to it.

“We’ve had a fantastic week in the championship. Everyone’s confident and everyone’s playing well so there’s no reason why we can’t turn the Outlaws over on Friday night.”

Chris Jordan warmed up for the third Investec Test with three wickets while on-loan James Tredwell took 4-7 as Sussex beat Warwickshire by 226 runs in the LV= County Championship Division One clash at Horsham.

Warwickshire were set 326 to win from 77 overs, but never recovered from Jordan’s pre-lunch burst when he removed Varun Chopra, Will Porterfield and Jonathan Trott to leave the Bears to nine for three.

Tim Ambrose held up his former county with 56, but when he departed it prompted a crash of four wickets in six balls, either side of tea, to end the match.

Warwickshire were therefore bowled out for just 99 – in an innings that featured five ducks – to set back their title bid.

For Sussex victory eased their relegation fears as they moved 35 points clear of the drop zone.

Off-spinner Tredwell, who is in the second month of a loan spell from Kent, finished with remarkable figures of 12.4-8-7-4 as three wickets fell in his final over.

After removing Chris Woakes and Jeetan Patel from the first two deliveries – either side of tea – the Warwickshire innings ended in farcical circumstances when Keith Barker was run out after being sent back by last man Boyd Rankin.

Jordan’s new-ball burst had set Sussex on their way to an important win and boosted his hopes of forcing a way back into England’s Test team against India at the Ageas Bowl.

Jordan had only bowled four overs in a Twenty20 since the second Test against Sri Lanka five weeks ago and after taking two wickets in the first innings he produced a hostile spell of swing bowling to undermine Warwickshire’s run chase.

Chopra drove at a delivery he could have left alone in Jordan’s second over and two balls later he had completed a double-wicket maiden when Porterfield was trapped lbw playing across the line for a duck.

The key wicket of Trott, who had made his first hundred of the season in the first innings, came four overs later when he edged a ball that beat him off the pitch.

There was a brief fightback by Ambrose and Ian Westwood, who took the score to 35 before left-armer Lewis Hatchett got some extra bounce in his second over and Westwood gave wicketkeeper Ben Brown his ninth catch of the match.

By then Tredwell was settling into a long spell and he struck twice in the 23rd over as Sam Hain was taken at short-leg and Rikki Clarke at slip, both for ducks, to leave Warwickshire on 46 for six.

Ambrose and Woakes added 53 for the seventh wicket with Ambrose reaching his half-century with his seventh boundary, an on-drive off Steve Magoffin.

But Ambrose was bowled through the gate by Chris Nash and in the last over before tea Tredwell switched ends and had Woakes superbly caught one-handed by Jordan at slip.

The first ball after the interval, Tredwell bowled Patel through the gate before the comical run-out of Barker brought a sorry end to a hugely disappointing Warwickshire batting display.

Earlier, Sussex had lost five wickets adding 41 runs before Ed Joyce declared with a lead of 325.

Patel picked up three of them to finish with 4-84 but Sussex were well on course to completing their first championship double over Warwickshire since 1960.

Jordan was delighted with the part he played in helping Sussex climb to fifth in the table.

The 25-year-old, who took 3-38, said: "We spoke beforehand about not trying to bowl magic deliveries, but rather bowling consistently in good areas because we knew the pitch would do the rest.

"But I felt good. It was my first proper bowl for over a month and I definitely needed some overs under my belt. James Tredwell has bowled really well since he came to us on loan and it was good to see him get his rewards as well."

Warwickshire coach Dougie Brown had no complaints after watching his side rolled over for 99.

"Sussex outplayed us," he said. "We knew the final day would be difficult and to have any chance we needed to get through the new ball but Chris Jordan bowled a brilliant spell.

"We lost this game on the first three days to be honest. Sussex were better than us in all departments."

The England and Wales Cricket Board and Hampshire Cricket today announced plans to commemorate those cricketers who lost their lives in World War One during the third Investec Test between England and India which starts on Sunday at The Ageas Bowl.

The commemorations will include a minute’s silence prior to the start of the third day’s play and descendants of the former Kent and England cricketer Colin Blythe will also be in attendance next Tuesday as special guests of ECB and Hampshire Cricket.

Blythe, who died at Passchendaele in 1917, was one of four England cricketers to die during the war and the England team laid a specially crafted stone cricket ball at his grave on a visit to the Oxford Road cemetery near Ypres in 2009.

Yorkshire’s Major William Booth, Middlesex’s Leonard Moon and Kent’s Kenneth Hutchings were the other England cricketers to die during the war which saw 289 first-class cricketers lose their lives overall and 407 players subsequently decorated for gallantry.

Further commemorative tributes will include the England team wearing the Help for Heroes logo on their shirt collars and the ringing of a bell to mark the start of the third day’s play by a current member of the Armed Forces.

Hampshire County Cricket Club will also be providing up to 1,000 tickets for servicemen in partnership with Help for Heroes, Tickets for Troops and Rewards for Forces and BBC TV’s ‘Great British Bake-off’ winner Frances Quinn will serve up slices of a ‘Trench Cake’ – baked according to an original wartime recipe - to members of the media.

ECB’s Acting Chief Executive  Brian Havill said: “At a time when the entire nation will be marking the outbreak of World War One, it is important that cricket recognises the enormous human cost of the conflict and in particular the hundreds of first-class cricketers who gave their lives in service of their country.

“We will be asking everyone attending day three of the Test match to show their respects to the fallen and we trust that this will form a suitable and fitting commemoration to all those soldiers and civilians who died.”

Hampshire chief executive David Mann added: “Hampshire has always had very strong links with our Armed Forces and we are extremely proud and humbled to have the opportunity to mark this occasion and remember the sacrifice of millions of soldiers not just from our county, but from across the country and indeed around the world.”

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been found guilty of "conduct contrary to the spirit of the game" and fined 50 per cent of his match fee, the International Cricket Council has announced.

Jadeja, 25, was involved in an incident with England bowler James Anderson during the second day of the first Investec Test at Trent Bridge on July 10.

Anderson will learn his own fate after a separate hearing, which will be held on Friday, 1 August.

An ICC statement confirmed Jadeja’s guilty verdict on a downgraded charge after a two-and-a-half hour hearing in Southampton last night.

“Jadeja was fined 50 per cent of his match fee by David Boon of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, who found him not guilty of the offence which he was originally charged with, but found him guilty under Article 2.1.8, that relates to ‘conduct contrary to the spirit of the game’,” the statement read.

“Jadeja was reported for a breach of Article 2.2.11 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel by England team manager Phil Neale on 16 July for his alleged altercation with Anderson after they had left the field for lunch.

“Under the Code, Mr Boon held a hearing in Southampton on Thursday evening, which was attended by both the players, their legal counsels, witnesses as well as BCCI’s MV Sridhar, Phil Neale and Paul Downton of the ECB, and the ICC’s Ethics & Regulatory Lawyer.

“The hearing lasted nearly 150 minutes before Mr Boon and included oral statements by the players, video footage and cross-examination of the witnesses by Kendrah Potts, counsel representing the ECB, and Jonathan Ellis, who represented Jadeja.

“Under article 7.6.5 of the Code, Mr Boon was empowered to find Jadeja guilty of an offence of a lower level than that with which he was charged if he found him not guilty of the original offence.

“Commenting on his decision, Mr Boon said: ‘Under Article 6.1 of the Code, I had to be comfortably satisfied that the offence had occurred in order to find Mr Jadeja guilty of an offence under Article 2.2.11.

“While I was in no doubt that confrontation did occur, and that such conduct was not in the spirit of the game and should not have taken place, I was not comfortably satisfied that this was a level two offence. Therefore, in exercising my discretion under Article 7.6.5 of the Code and having heard all the evidence, I was comfortably satisfied that Mr Jadeja had committed a level one offence under Article 2.1.8 of the Code.’

 “Mr Boon will provide his detailed judgement within the next 48 hours.

“All level one breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee.

“In accordance with Article 8.1 of the Code, a decision in respect of a first level one offence is non-appealable and shall remain the full and final decision in relation to the matter.”

Defending champions Northants Steelbacks will bid to end a disappointing NatWest T20 Blast campaign on a high note away to Durham Jets.

The Steelbacks’ slim hopes of reaching the quarter-finals were extinguished by a 22-run defeat to Notts Outlaws on Wednesday night at Wantage Road.

Captain Kyle Coetzer top-scored, passing fifty for the first time in the competition, and afterwards admitted his side had failed to find the consistency to mount a successful defence.

“We’ve shown some glimpses of what we’re capable of – we’ve bowled really well at times and batted really well at times but we just haven’t been able to put a full performance together too often this year,” he said.

The Jets have also endured a similarly disappointing tournament and their only incentive before the match is to pick up a win that would move them above the Steelbacks and into sixth place in the North Group.

The Jets have retained the same squad that suffered a 27-run defeat to Lancashire Lightning at Emirates Old Trafford last night.

Kent Spitfires will bid to pull off an unlikely NatWest T20 Blast quarter-final place when they host high-flying Surrey tonight.

The Spitfires thrashed Somerset by 40 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method last Friday night to ensure their campaign went down the final game.

Their fate, however, lies in the hands of others with Glamorgan and Somerset sitting above them in the race for the final last-eight place.

Kent know that if Glamorgan win their hopes are over.

Indeed, even if Glamorgan lose Kent would most likely need a wide-margin win, with Somerset – who host last-placed Middlesex - ahead of them on net run-rate.

Head coach Jimmy Adams is trying not to worry about ‘what ifs’ and instead has kept a simple philosophy going into the match.

“We have to simply play to our potential and win,” he told the club’s official website.

“The lads are finishing the competition strongly, it was a great performance last Friday we just need to repeat it."

To complicate Kent’s hopes Surrey need to avoid a heavy defeat to ensure they clinch a home quarter-final.

Surrey moved into second place, and ahead of Hampshire on net run-rate, with a thrilling final-ball win over Middlesex at Lord’s last night.

Aneesh Kapil returns to Surrey’s 14-man squad for the trip to Canterbury while George Edwards is included for the first time in this year’s competition.

Kent have been boosted by the return of Australian left-arm quick Doug Bollinger from injury.

* Surrey have won their previous three Twenty20 matches against Kent Spitfires, having lost the preceeding four games.

Somerset will only concentrate on completing their half of the bargain as they aim to sneak into the NatWest T20 Blast quarter-finals tonight.

Somerset must beat South Group cellar-dwellars Middlesex at Taunton and hope result elsewhere go their way to claim the last qualification place.

Most significantly they need fourth-placed Glamorgan to lose at home to out-of-contention Gloucestershire while Kent Spitfires also have an outside chance of over-taking them on net run-rate when they host Surrey.

“On Friday night it is totally within our control to make sure we get across the line against Middlesex, but totally out of our control whether we can qualify or not, so we are just trying to focus on the T20 format for ourselves,” coach Dave Nosworthy told the club’s website.

Somerset will still be without leading runscorer Craig Kieswetter who has undergone successful surgery after he suffered a serious facial injury during the LV= County Championship match against Northamptonshire earlier this month.

The wicketkeeper-batsman was struck by a David Willey bouncer and in his absence Somerset have lost their past two Blast games.

Kieswetter revealed he is not yet sure when he will be ready to resume, even though the surgery went well and he was cleared of any long-lasting damage to his eye.

“I’ve never really been one to do things half heartedly and so the damage turned out to be quite extensive – I shattered my orbital floor (the cup your eye sits in) and broke and fractured my nose in three different places. I certainly gave the surgeon a challenge of piecing my boyish good looks back together,” he said.

“Surgery went as well as I could have hoped for. A couple of metal plates inserted, a few of stitches, some painkillers and I was sent on my way. But all jokes aside it was a relief to find out there was no lasting damage to my eye.

“We aren’t really sure yet on the recovery period as it is a fairly unique injury in terms of breakage and muscle strain.

“The standard recovery period for a break is six weeks (depending on the extent of the damage) but because there was some strain and trauma to my eye we will be continually assessing the recovery.”

Middlesex will look to round out a miserable campaign with victory after they suffered a heartbreaking last-ball defeat to London rivals Surrey last night.

Middlesex’s two wins in the competition have come away from home and have kept faith with the XI they lost at Lord’s with Paul Stirling, Toby Roland-Jones and Gurjit Sandhu also included in a 14-man squad.

For Somerset Nick Compton, Jack Leach and Jamie Overton join the XI that lost at Kent last time out.

* Somerset are aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the sixth successive season.

* James Hildreth needs two more catches to become the second non-wicketkeeper, after Lancashire's Steven Croft, to have taken 50 catches in English domestic Twenty20 cricket.

Glamorgan can uncomplicate a three-way battle for the last remaining quarter-final place in the NatWest T20 Blast South Group – simply by beating Gloucestershire at the SWALEC Stadium.

While Somerset and Kent Spitfires below them will be sweating on the permutations they need to get out of the group tonight, the Welsh county know that victory will be enough to resolve all calculations.

That would then send Glamorgan into a knockout clash with North Group winners Lancashire Lightning at Emirates Old Trafford next week.

Should they seal their place it will be a rare trip to the last-eight.

Glamorgan have only twice progressed out of their group – only Derbyshire Falcons’ record is worse – since the domestic Twenty20 competition began in 2003.

The last time Glamorgan reached the quarter-finals was back in 2008 – when they were handed a late reprieve after Yorkshire were disqualified from the competition after fielding an ineligible player.

Jim Allenby’s side have rightly earned their chance to book their place on their own terms tonight following a memorable campaign that has seen them end a 10-year hoodoo at Taunton as well as securing wins at already-qualified Surrey and Hampshire.

Allenby and Jacques Rudolph have been the most prolific opening partnership in the tournament.

Allenby is the third highest run-scorer in the Blast with 492 at an average of 49.20 while Rudolph sits fifth on the list with 432 runs at 48.00.

Both are fit to meet Gloucestershire after being named in a 13-man squad which sees only Will Owen not included from the team that lost to Essex Eagles by seven wickets last time out.

That was Glamorgan’s second successive defeat, to hint at a late-season wobble, and they will take on a Gloucestershire side who beat the Eagles in their last game by six wickets despite having no chance of going through.

* The team batting second has won 13 of the past 14 Twenty20 matches between Glamorgan and Gloucestershire.

* Hamish Marshall needs four runs to become the first batsman to score 2,000 domestic Twenty20 runs for Gloucestershire.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has engaged the renowned global search firm, Sports Recruitment International, to lead the search for a new ECB Chief Executive following David Collier’s decision to retire from the post at the end of the current cricket season.

SRI advertised the role today and will be looking to provide the ECB Board with candidates who can be “ambitious, inspirational leaders as well as having the ability to be an exceptional communicator and ambassador for the ECB. The role requires a mix of statesmanship, energy and drive to build the appeal and brand of cricket and to promote the work of the ECB across a broad range of areas.

“The role of ECB Chief Executive is a high-profile leadership position and candidates must demonstrate the experience, stature and leadership skills required for this appointment. A passion for the game of cricket is vital.”

The job description also suggests that while experience in cricketing and/or sports administration would be advantageous it is not essential as long as the applicant has a track record of building successful brands and businesses.

The key aspects of the new Chief Executive’s brief will be developing close working relationships with the counties and championing the recreational game as well as assisting the ECB Chairman, Giles Clarke, in forging strong and effective relationships with the ICC and its member boards.

There is also an expressed desire for the successful candidate to build on the existing strong relationships between the ECB and the Government and its agencies – in particular the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as well as Sport England and UK Sport.

The closing date for applications is August 31st, 2014.

Gary Ballance believes England can turn around their series against India ahead of the third Investec Test at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

England are 1-0 down following the 95-run defeat at Lord’s earlier this week, but Ballance saw enough positives to believe England can fight back on the south coast.

“It was obviously disappointing to lose at Lord’s,” he told ecb.co.uk.

“We had opportunities, we are playing decent cricket, we’re not playing bad cricket. We’re getting ourselves in positions to win games but not quite finishing them off which is a bit frustrating.

“Guys are doing well and we can take a bit of confidence. We know we’ve just got to improve on those important sessions.”

England are set to make at least one change to their side with Jos Buttler drafted into the squad for Matt Prior after he opted to step aside from international cricket this summer due to injury.

Ballance admits Prior’s experience will be missed, but is confident Buttler can lift the team on his Test debut.

“Obviously Matt has done a great job over the years and he has won loads of games for England so it’s a tough one,” he said.

“Then again Jos has won loads of games for England in the limited overs formats. He’ll bring that youth into it and he’s obviously a very exciting player and he can win you games. They are both very good cricketers and I’m sure England will be good for it.”