Troughton poised for comeback

Jim Troughton has been blighted by back problems at the start of the season

Jim Troughton and Naqaash Tahir could play their first LV County Championship matches of the season against Middlesex at Edgbaston.

Both were laid low by injuries early in the season, with Troughton suffering back problems and Tahir struggling with shin splints.

But the absence of Ian Bell with England duty allows Troughton a route back into the four-day game at the top of the order.

Tony Frost made a quickfire 56 against Ireland in the Friends Provident Trophy and will keep wicket again in place of England keeper Tim Ambrose.

Monde Zondeki will play again, but his time with Warwickshire could be shorter than expected after he was handed a national contract by South Africa, a possible step towards a call-up for the upcoming Test series with England, which starts in July.

Navdeep Poonia again makes do with a spot in the Second XI, despite scoring 111 and 50 against Cambridge UCCE.

Fast bowler Dirk Nannes is in line for his debut for a Middlesex side desperately seeking their first win in championship cricket and a rapid turnaround in form in championship cricket.

Nannes, a Australian left-armer, has played nine first-class games for Victoria, but qualifies to play county cricket through a Dutch passport.

He replaces Steven Finn, who is dropped after taking 1-76 as Essex pulled off a surprise run-chase in Middlesex’s last championship outing.

Chris Silverwood is still sidelined with knee problems, and Andrew Strauss is in the England squad for the second Test against New Zealand at Old Trafford.

One player in form is Irishman Eoin Morgan, who scored a fine 100 in the weekend’s Friends Provident Trophy defeat by Essex.