Akram's chronic shoulder injury restricted the Pakistan all-rounder to one championship game this summer, but the county indicated they were satisfied his shoulder operation in July would give him a good chance of returning fully fit next year.

Lancashire, in 10th place, play Gloucestershire at Bristol in the last round of championship matches today. Gloucestershire have lost three matches in a row and could finish in mid-table after leading a month ago.

Yorkshire, with a mathematical chance of the title at Derby, have recalled Peter Hartley to their seam attack for his first game for two months as replacement for the injured Darren Gough.

Hartley was recently released in acrimonious circumstances, but reports have suggested that David Byas, Yorkshire's captain, would support his return.

Hampshire are to give Thomas Hansen, Denmark's left-arm seam bowler, a championship debut in the match against Worcestershire at Southampton.

Alan Fordham has been released by Northamptonshire to take a job at Lord's as cricket operations manager with the England Cricket Board, the man in charge of detail in the first class game.

The ECB have appointed Keith Pont, the former Essex all-rounder, as development officer, and Simon Pack, a former NATO commander, as an administrator of England's international affairs.

Lancashire clinched the Second XI Championship for the first time since 1986 when they beat Leicestershire by an innings and 31 runs at Old Trafford yesterday.

They take the title despite being losing 24 points following a defeat of Yorkshire at Bradford, where a complaint by Yorkshire that Lancashire fielded two overseas players was upheld.