CHRIS LEWIS, ignored by the England selectors for the Texaco Trophy games against Australia, will captain Surrey in the championship match at Leicester beginning tomorrow.
Lewis takes charge because both Adam Hollioake and Alec Stewart are on England duty. He was not considered for the one-day squad after missing Surrey's championship match against Gloucestershire last week because of a ricked neck.
Surrey cricket manager Dave Gilbert said: ``We don't have any worries about Chris. He proved his fitness in the Sunday League game.''
London, playing for the first time as a combined team in the British Universities Championship, were bowled out for 43 by Southampton at Motspur Park and lost by 184 runs. Tim Slade took a hat-trick for Southampton.
DAVID Pennett, released by Nottinghamshire after five years on the staff, is joining Cumberland on a match-to-match contract.
Pennett's signing ends Cumberland's drawn-out search to strengthen their ranks, with Sussex having played an integral part in frustrating and fulfilling their plans.
They had registered Mark Robinson, the former Yorkshire bowler, but he was then offered terms by Sussex. Ironically Pennett was also thought to be on his way to Hove - but that fell through.
Cumberland have also been on the trail of Liam Botham, but are resigned to the fact that he's not interested.
Botham, who quit Hampshire for a professional rugby union career at West Hartlepool, is playing in the Bradford League for Windhill this summer.
Another former Hampshire all-rounder, Nigel Cowley, has rejoined Dorset 25 years after last turning out for them. Cowley, 43, is now on the first-class umpires reserve list, and made a KO Cup appearance for Devon last year. He is playing and coaching at Budleigh Salterton.
The Minor Counties game against the Australians at Jesmond has been brought forward a day to Tuesday, July 8.
Today's cricket
TOUR MATCH (1 day, 10.45): Chester-le-Street: Durham v Australians.
2ND XIs.- Bain Hogg Trophy (1 day): Saffron Walden: Essex v Sussex. Leek: Minor Co's v Leics.