Cricket

Nick Knight, Dominic Cork, Richard Stemp and Paul Nixon are the players left out by England A for today's match against Combined Universities in Delhi, but all four are almost certain to retain their "Test" places next week and will welcome the ch ance of some rest. Meanwhile, Mark Ilott, the Essex left-arm paceman, has flown home from Delhi to rest his injured side. England A's management do not plan to replace him, unless there are any further injuries to their seamers.

England A (Four-day match v Combined Universities, Delhi, starting today): M P Vaughan, J E R Gallian, M R Ramprakash, A P Wells (capt), D L Hemp, P N Weekes, K J Piper (wicket-keeper), G Chapple, I D K Salisbury, R L Johnson, M M Patel.

Sheffield Shield (First day) Hobart: New South Wales 298 for 3 (S R Waugh 156no, M G Bevan 70) v Tasmania. Brisbane: Western Australia 178 for 9 (G J Rowell 4-48) v Queensland.