WARWICKSHIRE: Although rain precluded any chance of a result against Lancashire at Stratford-upon-Avon, Nick Knight, the captain, enjoyed playing there. “I don’t know if it was a financial success, but I’d be happy to go back there,” he said. Dewald Pretorius is likely to miss today’s match against Kent at Beckenham and, with Heath Streak unavailable, Alan Richardson stands by.

WEBSITE: www.thebears.co.uk

KENT: Kent, keen that their match against the West Indians on Monday was finished in time for a large crowd to be able to watch England play Croatia, are sufficiently confident of progress in Euro 2004 that they have postponed a fixture against Lashings at The Mote on June 30. “There is every chance England will reach the semi-finals,” Jon Fordham, the Kent head of marketing, said.

WEBSITE: www.kentccc.com

GLOUCESTERSHIRE: With the retirement of Jack Russell, the wicketkeeper, the county have speeded up negotiations to extend Steve Adshead’s one-year contract. “It’s not a question of him filling Jack’s boots,” Mark Alleyne, the player-coach, said. “He’s brought other things.” Alleyne and Mike Smith are likely to come into the team against Sussex at Arundel today.

WEBSITE: www.gloscricket.co.uk

LANCASHIRE: Mike Watkinson, the cricket manager, is grateful for a few days’ rest for his squad. Iain Sutcliffe (thigh) and Dominic Cork (wrist) will have fitness tests before the matches against Northamptonshire in the totesport League on Friday and the championship on Saturday. Glen Chapple is still ruled out by cerebral bruising. “It’s been a test of our resources,” Watkinson said.

WEBSITE: www.lccc.co.uk

WORCESTERSHIRE: Rain is often the most consistent performer when Surrey visit New Road and seems likely to play its part again. If Graeme Hick scores the century he needs to equal W. G. Grace’s record of 126 first-class hundreds, there will be no instant celebration — because the club do not want to distract him from going on and scoring a big one.

WEBSITE: www.wccc.co.uk

SURREY: Greg Blewett, the Australia all-rounder, who has played for Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Kent as an overseas player, is set to deputise at Worcester today for Azhar Mahmood, who has a back injury. Saqlain Mushtaq has a knee problem and Martin Bicknell has a groin injury. Graham Thorpe and Mark Butcher are available, but Rikki Clarke is on England duty.

WEBSITE: www.surreycricket.com

MIDDLESEX: The club can hardly wait for Glenn McGrath, the Australia fast bowler, to arrive on July 16. Bowling resources are stretched with Paul Hutchison out for six weeks with ankle trouble and Nantie Hayward also carrying an ankle injury. Chris Wright, a fast-medium bowler from the academy, will make his first-team debut today against the West Indians.

WEBSITE: www.middlesexccc.com