ESSEX: Queensland have permitted Andy Bichel to miss the start of pre-season training to assist Essex’s promotion drive. Alastair Cook is available away to Leicestershire, but Andre Adams has an ankle injury. “When we went up last time we didn’t quite have the players, but now I think we could compete,” Ronnie Irani, the captain, said.

WORCESTERSHIRE: Moeen Ali has joined the county on a three-year deal, following his brother, Kadeer, and cousin, Kabir, who also went through the Warwickshire colts system. Warwickshire are not happy about Moeen’s departure, but he had become frustrated in their 2nd XI — playing in only five championship matches.

DERBYSHIRE: Having just agreed to return next season, Travis Birt, the Tasmania batsman, may be ruled out of the championship match against Surrey starting today because of an ankle problem. Dan Birch, son of John, the former Nottinghamshire player and manager, has been registered in case Birt fails a fitness test.

LEICESTERSHIRE: Stuart Broad will miss the championship match against Essex at Grace Road today after being told to rest by the ECB. He is on standby for the ICC Champions Trophy next month. Tom New has been called into the squad in place of Hylton Ackerman, who has returned to South Africa early for personal reasons.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: Matt Nicholson has flown home for pre-season training with New South Wales, so Dave Wigley deputises for the home match against promotion-chasing Worcestershire. Riki Wessels has returned to South Africa for the winter, but will report back next spring. Monty Panesar is permitted to play today by the ECB.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE: Ian Harvey may yet play for the county next season although he will be an attractive option for rivals if he becomes England-qualified — the former Australia one-day all-rounder is registering on residency. Hamish Marshall, the New Zealand batsman, will return next season, possibly with Shane Bond, his compatriot.

SOMERSET: Cameron White, the Australia one-day all-rounder who captained the county for much of this season, will return in 2007. The reseeding of the square at Taunton was completed yesterday. Almost an inch of topsoil has been taken off to create a more even contest between bat and ball on an historically high-scoring ground.

GLAMORGAN: A deal for James Anderson, the Lancashire fast bowler, to help the county to fight their way off the bottom of the table, while improving his fitness, is apparently off. Ben Wright, 18, and Michael O’Shea, 19, two batsmen, come into the squad to play Gloucestershire. Michael Powell is doubtful with a twisted ankle.

TODAY’S FIXTURES

10.30, first day of four, 104 overs minimum

CARDIFF: Glamorgan v Gloucestershire

LEICESTER: Leicestershire v Essex

NORTHAMPTON: Northamptonshire v Worcestershire

DERBY: Derbyshire v Surrey