Central cricket News

Despite England commitments limiting his availability for Warwickshire, Ian Bell says he remains as determined as ever to contribute towards the club's quest for continued success.

Bell has had few opportunities to represent Warwickshire in recent years because of a hectic international schedule.

He said: "Every time you get the opportunity to pull a Warwickshire shirt on it's a chance to go and do something."

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Northants C.C.C. have announced that seam bowler Olly Stone has signed a one-year contract extension which keeps him at the club until the end of 2015.

The news follows a record breaking winter for the England Under 19s captain in South Africa where he recorded the best ever bowling figures for England in a youth test - 11-79.

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Nottinghamshire and England spinner Graeme Swann is in a race against time to be fit for the Ashes this summer. Swann today found out he will need a second operation on a long-term elbow injury.

It means he will play no part in England's three-match test series against New Zealand which began yesterday. The 33-year-old bowler will fly to the USA next week for the career-saving surgery.

The hope is that he will be recovered by early summer in time to play a part in England's year of back-to-back test series against Australia.

Swann, who had a similar operation four years ago, said: "It's a huge year for English cricket and a huge year for me, so if it means taking a more active part in it then it's something I have to do. I know if I don't have the surgery it's more or less curtains."

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So far this winter, Worcestershire County Cricket Club have splashed out around £20,000 on clean-up operations following flooding.

However, the club say they are confident they will not have to switch early season fixtures away from New Road because of recent floods.

Chief Executive David Leatherdale has admitted the outfield and cricket square are currently in a muddy condition but is optimistic it will have recovered in time for the start of the 2013 campaign.

"We have had three to four main floods which have covered the ground for about four of the last eight to nine weeks. But we are confident it will not affect the early season fixtures. We are not panicking. We have had flooding in early April before and still played. You get used to it."

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England fast bowler Stuart Broad is going to return home early from the tour of India because of injury.

He had a scan two days ago on his left heel and the results have ruled him out of the final Test which began in Nagpur today.

Twenty20 captain Broad, from Nottinghamshire, will also miss two matches against India in the shortest international format next week.

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