County Championship preview

Division One

Leaders Surrey have named an unchanged squad with Alec Stewart and Mark Butcher unavailable ahead of next week's second Test. Rikki Clarke may again have to settle for 12th man duties.

Sussex will give a late fitness test to batsman Tony Cottey, and Kevin Innes is in line for a place after scoring a hundred as a nominated substitute for James Kirtley against Notts.

Lancashire's Carl Hooper will face his former county

Kent take on Lancashire with captain David Fulton set to play his first Championship game of the season following surgery on his eye.

The visitors call up John Wood to replace England's James Anderson and left-arm spinner Gary Keedy is added to the squad travelling south.

Nottinghamshire have overseas pair Chris Cairns and Stuart MacGill together for a the first time in a Championship match as they take on Essex. Wayne Noon continues in the absence of England one-day wicket-keeper Chris Read (broken thumb).

There is no room for Mark Pettini in the Essex squad despite his 92 against Warwickshire in the C&G Trophy. Skipper Ronnie Irani, meanwhile, is doubtful because of a knee injury.

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Division Two

Derbyshire paceman Mohammad Ali returns to the side against Worcestershire but spinner Lian Wharton could miss out because of flu-like symptoms.

The visitors make one change to the side which knocked holders Yorkshire out of the C&G Trophy with opener Anurag Singh taking over from David Leatherdale.

Glamorgan are hoping batsmen Adrian Dale and David Hemp will be able to play against Northamptonshire after being taken ill during the week.

The home side recall Mark Powell, Carl Greenidge and Monty Panesar but are without vice-captain Tony Penberthy, who has a recurrence of an Achilles tendon problem.

Durham coach Martyn Moxon returns to Headingley with an injury-hit squad minus Martin Love (broken thumb) and Vince Wells (back). Wicket-keeper Phil Mustard keeps his place at the expense of Andrew Pratt.

Paceman Darren Gough expects to play for Yorkshire, having been recalled to the England one-day squad on Thursday.