Matthew Hoggard enhanced his bid for a Test recall with five wickets as Hampshire closed day two at Headingley 283 behind Yorkshire at 115-5.

Hoggard, 31, dropped during the winter tour of New Zealand, impressed watching national selector Geoff Miller ahead of the first Test in May with 5-51

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After a bad start to their innings,Yorks finished well but lost to Durham by 5 runs.

With Naved-ul-Hasan's protracted move to Yorkshire finally settled, the White Rose will be hoping the Pakistan pace bowler will add extra impetus to an already impressive bowling line-up.With South Africa speedstar Morne Morkel signed up for the first three months of the season, while Matthew Hoggard has been released for early county action by England, the season's prospects look very promising for captain Darren Gough.Great expectation will be placed on all-rounder Adil Rashid to build on his impressive debut season. If the leg-spinner can match his performances from last season, he could be an England candidate sooner rather than later.And with Jaccques Rudolph leading the batting ranks, 2008 could be a memorable year for Yorkshire.

Ramprakash was once again in unstoppable form

Mark Ramprakash overshadowed Andrew Flintoff's return to competitive action with his 98th first-class century.

Flintoff, who had a fourth ankle operation in September, struck with his 20th ball as Surrey struggled to 56-2 in the Championship against Lancashire.

But Ramprakash, who was dropped on nought and could have been run out on 24, joined forces with skipper Mark Butcher to put the home side in charge.

Ramprakash was on 102 and Butcher 80 as Surrey closed on a comfortable 242-2.

All eyes, including those of national selector Geoff Miller, were on Flintoff, who is aiming to be in the squad for the first Test against New Zealand next month

Fast bowler Steve Harmison is no longer a viable option for England, according to the man he replaced in the Test team, Andrew Caddick.

The 29-year-old Durham player has struggled for form since England's 2005 Ashes success and was dropped for the second Test with New Zealand in March.

Caddick told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Does he want to play domestic cricket or work hard and play international cricket?

"The standard he is playing right now, he is not viable in the side."

Harmison, who retired from one-day internationals 18 months ago, has been roundly criticised in the last few months.

Cricket chiefs have warned that India's two new Twenty20 leagues could have a dramatic effect on the English game. A BBC Sport survey of county bosses has revealed a range of concerns - from fears the game could split, to teams going bust, to rampant player-power.

And Surrey chief executive Paul Sheldon thinks English cricket may have to form a rival league with franchise teams.

"There could be a franchise called Vodafone London - I think we should consider that possibility," he said.

"I have a completely open mind about Twenty20. It is a means of exploiting our commercial strengths and it is a very, very juicy opportunity.

Good news on the Flintoff front,if his interview with the BBC is to be believed--he is almost 100% fit!

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