Lungley joins Lancs on loan

Aug 11 2009 -

Lancashire have signed Derbyshire seamer Tom Lungley on a one-month loan deal to cover for injuries.
The 30-year-old joins the Red Rose county with Glen Chapple, Sajid Mahmood, Tom Smith and Steven Cheetham all sidelined, while Andrew Flintoff and James Anderson are away on England duty.

Lancs cricket director Mike Watkinson told the county's official website: "Injuries are a part of sport, but to have the majority of our bowlers in the treatment room at the one time is extremely unlucky.

"We have played a lot of cricket this season and have some big matches coming up over the next few weeks, so we've had no option but to look outside our ranks for personnel.

"Fortunately for us, Tom was available and I'd like to thank John Morris at Derbyshire for agreeing to release him to us for this period.

"Tom is an experienced bowler who has a good track record in county cricket and will be a welcome addition to the squad for the next month."

Surrey move for loanee Anyon

Aug 11 2009 - 11:10:54

Warwickshire seamer James Anyon has joined Surrey on a one-month loan deal.

The Brown Caps moved to bring in 26-year-old Anyon after learning that Andre Nel will miss the rest of the campaign as he requires surgery on his injured left elbow.

Managing director of cricket Gus Mackay told the county's official website: "After losing Andre, we felt the need to increase our bowling stocks at such an important part of the season.

"Having James will add some depth and experience to the attack which can only help us as we look to finish the season on a high."

Trott handed Lions place

Aug 11 2009 - 11:13:21

Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott has been included in the England Lions team to face Australia in a two-day game at Canterbury this weekend.

The 28-year-old was named in the squad for the fourth Ashes Test, but was left out of the final eleven.

National selector, Geoff Miller, explained: "The Lions have been given an opportunity to take on Australia again this summer following Kent's progress to the Twenty20 Cup Finals day.

"The Lions provided strong opposition for Australia in the tour match earlier this summer and this fixture will provide selectors with an opportunity to look at a number of established players who have impressed in county cricket this year.

"It is also a chance for the likes of Andrew Gale, James Harris and Chris Woakes to show the selectors how they will cope when they come up against a top-class international team such as Australia."

Team: J Dalrymple (capt), M Carberry, S Moore, J Trott, A Gale, S Davies, L Plunkett, C Woakes, J Harris, S Kirby, G Keedy.

Flower voices batting worries

Aug 11 2009 - 11:34:00

Team director Andy Flower has voiced his concerns over England's misfiring middle order, ahead of the crucial fifth Ashes Test at The Oval next week.

Ravi Bopara, Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood manager just 16 runs between them in the fourth Test thrashing at Headingley and Flower is far from happy with such a meagre return.

He told reporters: "We are number five in the world for a reason, it's because we are inconsistent and what happened here is exactly why we are number five.

"When we can put some consistency into our performances we can climb that ladder, but at the moment that is the gulf between the two sides.

"But that does not mean we can't win the last Test match. We've beaten these guys once in the series, but we're going to have to play really well.

"We have a selection meeting at the end of the week and in between now and the selection meeting, we can have a proper think about it and a discussion.

"The output from our middle order, in terms of runs, is simply not good enough.

"We've scored one century in four Tests, the opposition have scored seven, that is as clear an indication of what has happened on the batting front as anything."

Glamorgan seal Allenby deal

Aug 11 2009 - 12:26:04

Glamorgan have confirmed the signing of all-rounder Jim Allenby on a three-year contract from Leicestershire.

The 26-year-old will spend the closing weeks of the current campaign on loan with the Welshmen, having refused to sign a new deal at Grace Road.

Glamorgan director of cricket, Matthew Maynard, told the county's official website: "Jim will be a great addition to the club, he is an extremely talented player and I am delighted that he is joining us here at Glamorgan.

"We have significant improvements to make on the field next season and Jim's experience will undoubtedly help us for the remaining fixtures this season and in the years ahead."