Cricket: Simon set for Worcestershire bow

Apr 16 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, Western Mail

ENGLAND seamer Simon Jones is set to play his first competitive match for Worcestershire against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Jones rejected a performance-related deal with Glamorgan and moved to New Road on a two-year contract over the winter following prolonged knee and ankle problems.

Worcestershire also include new Australian signing Steve Magoffin, while former Somerset seamer Gareth Andrew is also in the 12-man squad.

Ireland seamer Boyd Rankin is set to make his debut for Warwickshire, while Tony Frost will keep wicket with England’s Tim Ambrose not available until April 20.

Warwickshire are without Monde Zondeki, who is still with South Africa, and the injured Jimmy Anyon, Ian Salisbury and Naqaash Tahir.

Andre Nel has been included in the Essex squad for their opening match against Northamptonshire.

Alastair Cook is not available until next week’s Championship match with Derbyshire, so Varun Chopra is likely to open with Jason Gallian.

Wicket-keeper James Foster and all-rounder Ravi Bopara are expected to be named in the XI after featuring for MCC against Sussex in the season’s curtain-raiser.

Spinner Jason Brown has been chosen to partner Nicky Boje as the South African prepares to lead Northants while Irish keeper Niall O’Brien is preferred to Riki Wessels.

Steve Kirby has recovered sufficiently from concussion to take his place in the Gloucestershire squad that hosts Derbyshire.

The fast bowler will be assessed before the match after a blow to the head from a Luke Wright delivery on Friday so William Rudge stands by.

New captain Rikki Clarke heads the list of four possible debutants for Derbyshire.

John Sadler, signed from Leicestershire, and South African Kolpak player Dominic Telo are likely to come into the middle order, while former Surrey left-armer Nayan Doshi is also named in the squad.

Middlesex have named England batsmen Andrew Strauss and Owais Shah in their squad to travel to Grace Road to face Leicestershire.