Cricket: Andy Goram to return to the crease aged 48

The former Rangers and Scotland goalkeeper, who famously played against the touring Aussies in 1989, has been in contact with Western Premier outfit and Scottish Cup holders Uddingston. And the Bothwell club are ready to welcome back the left-handed batsman ten years after he last played for them.

Former Uddingston team-mate Paul Hoffmann, now the club’s groundsman, declared: “Andy has been in touch and seems keen to play.

“I’ve sent him details of our fixtures and am waiting to hear back from him.

“Andy played for us a decade ago and made a positive impact on the club and I’m sure we’d all welcome him back.

“We’d be talking about second 11 at first but, who knows, if he scored runs and picked up a few wickets he could be knocking on the door for the firsts.”

Goram, who had spells with Penicuik and West Lothian as well as Uddingston, last played cricket two years ago when he guested for Freuchie in a centenary match.

Meanwhile, Kevin Pietersen believes England’s lack of interest in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is down to jealousy.

Pietersen is one of just two England regulars participating in this year’s IPL, along with Eoin Morgan.

With star names like James Anderson, Graeme Swann and Ian Bell preparing for summer in county teams, the lucrative tournament has attracted minimal coverage in the UK.

Pietersen, one of the Delhi Daredevils’ most high-profile names, believes jealousy in his adopted homeland is at the heart of that, telling reporters: “The IPL is very much struggling to find acceptance back home.

“It’s down to a lot of jealousy I think, which is sad.

“It saddens me, all the negative publicity the IPL gets in the [UK] media, I don’t know why.”

Pietersen admitted he did not know why England’s best players had been snubbed by the IPL franchises, claiming they would be better than “some second-rate Australians” who were getting a game. “I see some of the games being played at the moment and I just think: ‘Man, up here would have been a lot better if the Andersons, Bresnans and Boparas were involved in the IPL’,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lancashire’s LV County Championship title defence got off to a bad start against Sussex at Liverpool yesterday. The Red Rose’s star names were back in the pavilion before lunch as they crashed to 48 for four.

Joe Anyon did the majority of the damage taking three for 27, including the key scalp of Lancashire’s South Africa overseas signing Ashwell Prince for four.

Somerset endured a worse beginning against Warwickshire as they sought back-to-back wins to kick-start their bid for a maiden First Division crown. Marcus Trescothick’s side, who beat Middlesex last week, were 52 for five after Chris Wright (three for 29) and Keith Barker (two for 13) made light work of a well-regarded top order. England one-day international wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter (16) was the only batsman to reach double figures as only the rain halted their collapse after 19.2 overs.

Durham’s start to the season was delayed by an hour and 15 minutes by rain at Chester-le-Street before they reduced Nottinghamshire to 31 for two. Nottinghamshire lost openers Alex Hales and Neil Edwards in back-to-back overs from Callum Thorp and Graham Onions.

Middlesex were the only top-flight side enjoying any solid progress with the bat as they reached 86 for two against fellow newly promoted club Surrey.

Opener Sam Robson batted through the morning session at Lord’s to be unbeaten on 40.

The wickets were tumbling in Division Two as well with Derbyshire worst off at 88 for five against Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens. Only an unbeaten 44-run stand between Ross Whiteley and David Wainwright, who bowled Derbyshire to victory last week, prevented a calamitous beginning after Graham Wagg snared four for 22.

Northamptonshire were 56 for four against Kent, with Charlie Shreck continuing a good start to the season with two for 23.

Gloucestershire just about avoided the carnage of elsewhere as they progressed to 83 for three against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl