Cricket: Imminent return for Cork

Dominic Cork is hoping to launch his comeback in the next couple of weeks after undergoing intensive treatment for a troublesome groin injury.

The 26-year-old England all-rounder has not played since sustaining the injury in Derbyshire's opening Championship match of the season against Kent at Canterbury and there were fears that a further scan had all but ruled him out for the rest of the summer.

But the Derbyshire general manager, Stuart Edwards, confirmed yesterday: "He is under treatment at the moment which is on-going but we are hoping he will be back training in the next couple of weeks and back playing for Derbyshire."

Should Cork, who was ruled out of England's Texaco Trophy plans last week, return in the next fortnight he is unlikely to be available for England until at least the second Test, which starts at Lord's on 19 June.

Cork missed England's winter tour to Zimbabwe because of family problems and then suffered a miserable time in New Zealand, taking only seven wickets in the three-Test series.

But he is hopeful of continuing his work with the former England all- rounder Ian Botham, who has agreed to help him with his bowling action once he has recovered, as he attempts to reclaim his England place this summer ahead of next winter's tour to West Indies.

At Taunton in the County Championship yesterday, the Australian batsman, Darren Lehman, continued his run of form, ending with 177 as Yorkshire put on 306 against Somerset after starting the day on 183 for 5. Somerset then reached 203 for 5 before declaring. Yorkshire advanced to 124 for 2 in their second innings.

n There was no play due to rain at Cardiff yesterday in the match between Glamorgan and Hampshire.