Carter pays the price for Northants' poor season

Northamptonshire have sacked their director of cricket, Bob Carter, after a disappointing season. The 42-year-old presided over sixth and seventh-place finishes in the Second Divisions of the Norwich Union League and the County Championship respectively.

The Northamptonshire chief executive, Steve Coverdale, said: "Bob has been very dedicated and committed to his role and has contributed a great deal to Northamptonshire over the years. However, the committee feels that playing performances and results over the past couple of seasons haven't justified their support and the significant financial investment that has been made."

The Trinidadian opening batsman Daren Ganga has been recalled to the West Indies squad to replace his ailing team-mate Brian Lara for the tour of India next month.

Lara was taken to hospital in Sri Lanka last week with hepatitis. His is still in hospital but officials are not releasing information about his condition.

The Zimbabwe captain, Heath Streak, has been ruled out of the forthcoming Test and one-day series with Pakistan after dislocating his left shoulder in an accident while travelling in a taxi in Colombo on Monday.