Cricket: Saltires star Fraser Watts struggling to make opening CB40 games

THE Saltires have been dealt a pre-season blow with news that Fraser Watts will almost certainly miss the opening CB40 matches of the new campaign.

The experienced Carlton batsman is battling back after undergoing hip surgery during the winter. However, the double header with Durham and Leicester on 24 and 25 April looks likely to come too soon for the established opener.

Saltires coach Pete Steindl said: "Fraser is back in training but it will be touch and go whether he is ready. We won't rush him and if he doesn't make it we have other options at the top of the order."

Oli Hairs, who made his CB40 debut against Warwickshire in the final game of last season, could replace Watts. Hairs and other contenders will get the chance to stake their claim when Eastern Knights take on holders Caledonian Highlanders in the opening match of a new Regional Series at Arbroath on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Adil Rashid produced career-best figures to inspire Yorkshire to an unlikely nine-wicket win over Worcestershire in their opening LV= County Champions First Division clash at New Road. Ben Stokes was the star of the show for Durham as they set themselves the target of taking ten wickets on the final day for victory at Hampshire. The teenager produced a career-best six for 68 before putting the hosts to the sword with the bat on the way to an unbeaten 135. Most notably he hit Liam Dawson's part-time left-arm spin for five consecutive sixes to start an over.

Sussex were battling hard to avoid defeat against Lancashire, trailing by 78 runs with a day to play.