Richard Pybus, the former Pakistan coach, who has just led Titans to a runaway title success in the SuperSport Series, South Africa’s provincial championship, is returning to England to become the Middlesex coach. He has signed a three-year contract and replaces John Emburey, now the county’s director of cricket.

Pybus, 43, had one Minor Counties game for Suffolk before injury curtailed his playing career in his early twenties. He made a name for himself as a coach in South Africa and was headhunted by Pakistan to take charge of the team who were beaten by Australia in the 1999 World Cup final. He had three further spells as Pakistan coach before joining Titans.

James Kirtley, the Sussex fast bowler, was given an unexpected chance to revive his England career yesterday when he was called up to replace the injured Amjad Khan on the A tour to Bangladesh.

Kirtley, who has been forced to remodel his action since he last played for England in 2003, was checking in at Gatwick for a business trip for his sportswear company when he got the call. Alex Gidman, the Gloucestershire all-rounder, has been called up to replace Ravi Bopara, who is in the World Cup squad.

Liam Plunkett, the Durham and England fast-medium bowler, has been banned from driving for 20 months after admitting a charge of drink-driving.

Darrell Hair, the Australian umpire at the centre of the ball-tampering row that led to Pakistan forfeiting the final Test against England at the Brit Oval last summer, has told the ECB that he is unable to continue on their reserve list. Hair is taking legal action against the ICC after being dropped from the elite panel.