Thorpe set to return for Surrey

Graham Thorpe, rested against Middlesex last week following England's Test series in the West Indies, is included in a 13-man Surrey squad to face Northamptonshire in the First Division of the County Championship today, alongside Martin Bicknell, who has recovered from a hamstring strain. Northamptonshire are expected to keep an unchanged side.

The Warwickshire wicketkeeper Tony Frost has recovered from a dislocated finger, Alan Richardson is expected to pass a late fitness test on a thigh strain, and Dewald Pretorius has shaken off a virus. Their opponents, Gloucestershire, however, will again be without the Pakistan internationals, Shoaib Malik and Shabbir Ahmed, who have yet to arrive in England.

Worcestershire have no new injury concerns against Sussex, who recall Tony Cottey to the squad for the trip to New Road.

In the Second Division, Steve Stubbings replaces Steve Selwood against Durham, who are without former England all-rounder Gavin Hamilton.

The Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is set for his Essex debut against Somerset at Chelmsford in place of James Middlebrook.