Evans in line for Championship call-up

By Paul Bolton

Former Surrey batsman Laurie Evans is in line to make his first LV= County Championship appearance of the season for Warwickshire against Somerset at Taunton on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old former Durham University student made his last appearance in the competition against Yorkshire at Headingley last August but he took his opportunity to impress with some aggressive batting in Warwickshire’s recent Friends Life t20 group matches which included a match-winning half century against Northamptonshire.

Evans missed out when Warwickshire returned to County Championship action against Sussex at Edgbaston last week but they have to make changes for the trip to Taunton because Ian Bell is back on England duty against South Africa at The Oval and William Porterfield is captaining Ireland in three Twenty20 internationals against Bangladesh in Belfast.

Evans is likely to be called up and former captain Ian Westwood to be recalled to fill the gaps. “Laurie had a great Twenty20 and he did a similar job for us last year by coming in when we needed him and putting in some performances,” said Warwickshire captain Jim Troughton. “With Westy we know that we are getting a quality performer so it will not disrupt us too much.”

Ireland pace bowler Boyd Rankin, who is back to full fitness after almost three months out witgh a foot injury, is also required by Ireland this week but his availability thereafter might allow Troughton to rotate his seamers.

“It’s good to see Boyd bowling in the nets and out in the middle again,” Troughton said. “He’s very keen to play for us again which is a good sign. At this time of year it means we can make sure that our bowlers are nice and fresh.

“We had talked about rotation but that was pretty much put to bed before the start of the season when we lost Boyd and Chris Woakes to injury. But now, with everyone fit again, it’s something we could look at further down the road.”


Date: 16/07/2012 11:55:29 by Paul Bolton
In: Warwickshire | Today |