Sporting Digest: Cricket

Alan Fordham, the Northamptonshire opening batsman, is to retire from the first-class game at the end of the season. Fordham will take up a new post in the Cricket Operations Department of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has appointed Simon Pack, 53, as its international teams director. The new post carries responsibility for the overall management, organisation and administration of the England, England `A' and England Under-19 Teams.

The Pakistani batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq has been charged with assault in Toronto, following his confrontation with spectators at a Sahara Cup match against India. Tournament and team officials confirmed that the 27-year- old Inzamam had voluntarily surrendered to police, who charged him with assault with a weapon and two separate counts of assault.

Lancashire have called off the chase for the Australian bowler Shane Warne and pinned their faith in Wasim Akram being fit for next summer. The Pakistan skipper missed nearly all of this season with shoulder problems but the club have received a positive specialist's report on his operation.

Stuart Law, the Australian batsman, expects to tie up a new deal with Essex before returning home in time for next month's start of the Sheffield Shield season.