Swann out of Aussie series to rest elbow

GRAEME Swann will miss England’s final two matches in the NatWest Series against Australia to rest the sore elbow in his bowling arm. Swann will be replaced by his fellow off-spinner James Tredwell in the squad at Chester-le-Street and Old Trafford.

England have also called up, as expected, seamer Chris Woakes – already in the squad for Wednesday’s washed-out match at his home ground Edgbaston, while Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker attended the funeral of their former Surrey team-mate Tom Maynard.

All-rounder Samit Patel was released to play for Nottinghamshire in last night’s Friends Life t20 fixture against Yorkshire – a match in which England’s Jonny Bairstow was due to feature for the visitors.

Bairstow will also be available for Yorkshire’s Roses match at Old Trafford today, and he and Patel will rejoin England in time for tomorrow’s fourth NatWest Series match at Emirates Durham ICG.

lDay two of Scotland’s ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Canada at Bothwell Castle was abandoned without a ball being bowled yesterday due to rain and a wet outfield. The first two days of the four-day fixture have now been lost.