May gives up day job for night-clubs

Cricket

Tim May, the Australian Test off-spinner has retired. May, who has a share in several night-clubs in the South Australian state capital of Adelaide, is quitting all forms of cricket for unstated personal reasons.

May, 34, took 75 wickets in 24 Tests, with personal bests of 5 for 9 and 42 not out against the West Indies in the Adelaide Test in 1993 when Australia lost by one run. On last year's tour of the West Indies, May was 12th man for all four Tests as Australia regained the Frank Worrell Trophy, 2-1.

May's last Test was against England in Sydney 18 months ago. May and the leg-spinner Shane Warne took 55 wickets between them in Australia's 4-1 Ashes victory in England in 1993. Other highlights included involvement in Australia's World Cup triumph in India in 1987 and South Australia's Sheffield Shield title last season.

Hampshire's leading wicket-taker this season, Cardigan Connor, faces a fitness test on a knee injury before the County Championship game against Gloucestershire, which starts today. The fast bowler suffered the problem a fortnight ago and missed the defeat against Somerset last week.

The former Yorkshire bowler Stuart Milburn will also miss the game at Southampton after suffering an appendicitis, while the West Indian paceman Winston Benjamin is still ruled out with a shoulder injury. The batsman and part-time off-spinner Paul Whitaker could be recalled to give his Hampshire captain, John Stephenson, extra bowling options.

Glamorgan's former England pace bowler Steve Watkin has been given only a "50-50" chance of recovering from a swollen knee in time to face the leaders Leicestershire at Swansea. The Welsh county have added Owen Parkin and Darren Thomas to their squad.

The England Under-19 batsman David Sales returns for Northamptonshire against Kent at Northampton. Sales, 18, who made history by hitting a double century on his first-class debut against Worcestershire a fortnight ago, was on international duty during last week's game at Leicester but comes back into the county's middle order.

The opener Richard Montgomerie is in contention again after a groin strain, and Northants will choose from a squad of 13. Their skipper, Rob Bailey, is still ruled out with a damaged wrist, while Russell War- ren is nursing a broken thumb.

Kent, who suffered their first Championship defeat of the season against Worcestershire earlier this week, will not be making any serious changes.