Wessels eyes vacant post at Middlesex

Kepler Wessels, the former South African captain, is interested in taking over as coach of Middlesex following the club's decision to remove Mike Gatting and Ian Gould. Wessels is busy with media work and a position with a security firm in South Africa, but he has asked the county to keep him informed when they officially advertise the post.

Kepler Wessels, the former South African captain, is interested in taking over as coach of Middlesex following the club's decision to remove Mike Gatting and Ian Gould. Wessels is busy with media work and a position with a security firm in South Africa, but he has asked the county to keep him informed when they officially advertise the post.

"I am very heavily committed business-wise in South Africa, so it's a difficult situation", said the 42-year-old. "All I've really done is asked Middlesex that if they do advertise the job to send me a copy of the advertisement so I can see what it's all about."

Northamptonshire have escaped a penalty for the state of their Wantage Road pitch during the current County Championship match against Essex. An England and Wales Cricket Board pitch panel comprising Phil Sharpe and Alan Smith examined the surface after the visitors were dismissed for 233 on the opening day but decided no deduction of points was necessary. It confirms the home county's promotion to the First Division.