Cricket: Reiffel returns home

England's hopes of claiming a consolation final Test victory at The Oval next week were lifted by both Paul Reiffel and Jason Gillespie being ruled out for the remainder of the summer.

Having already sealed the series at Trent Bridge last week, Australia have little option but to play Michael Kasprovicz and Brendon Julian. Reiffel, brought in for the injured Andy Bichel, has returned home because of difficulties involved with his wife's pregnancy, while Gillespie has aggravated a slight back injury and will not bowl again this summer.

Darren Gough yesterday failed a fitness test on his inflamed left knee and pulled out of Yorkshire's Championship match against Hampshire tomorrow. He will now rest in the hope of being fit to play in the final Test.