This is good news for Gloucestershire, who lead the chasing group and could have expected to be in a worse position before tackling Somerset at Taunton this morning after the engagement with the Pakistan A tourists put their county programme on hold.

Gloucestershire recall Tony Wright, their senior batsman, for a match that would see them return to the top if they take maximum points. Wright, who is recovering from glandular fever, said: ``A series of blood tests has only recently succeeded in identifying the problem. I've played feeling very tired at times and it affected my concentration. Now I'm much brighter.''

In the meantime, Kent and Essex, running third and fourth respectively, will be looking to work off their frustration when they meet at Canterbury. Kent at one stage looked as if they might take over the leadership when offered an inviting four-an-over target by Worcestershire at rain-hit New Road, while Essex had their target offering turned down by Leicestershire at Colchester.

Martin McCague, the fast bowler rested at Worcester, takes over from England's Dean Headley for Kent. Will House, a Cambridge University student, may make his championship debut, the 21-year-old challenging the seamer Julian Thompson for the final place in the side.

With Nasser Hussain on Test duty, the 22-year-old left-hander Tim Hodgson is poised to make his championship debut for Essex following a run of good scores in the second eleven.

Durham's bowlers need to beware a disciplined Mark Butcher at the Oval. Dropped by England, the left-handed opener was not in the best of moods at Lord's on Sunday when knocking the bails off with his bat.

Since then, disciplinary action has been taken against Butcher and Surrey's cricket manager, David Gilbert, who imposed the punishment, said: ``I've made it clear to Mark that I was disappointed with his actions and he has been left in no doubt that I won't tolerate a repeat performance.

``He's very down after losing his England place, but I've explained that the challenge for him now is to score so many runs before the end of the season that it's impossible for him to be left out of the West Indies tour party - starting with a big hundred against Durham.''

With a game in hand on most counties, Worcestershire, wjho are at Northampton, can still force their way into the top six and David Houghton, due to return to his native Zimbabwe for a new coaching post next month, said: ``We've got to start winning soon otherwise we're going to ease ourselves out of contention.''

Lancashire's Mark Harvey makes his first championship appearance of the season against Warwickshire at Blackpool. He takes over from Andy Flintoff, who normally fills the gap left by England's John Crawley but is on England Under-19 duty.

Warwickshire are ready to recall Dominic Ostler, who is expected to open with Mark Wagh in the absence of Nick Knight and Andy Moles with broken fingers. Neil Smith captains the team for the first time in the championship.