Warwickshire target Zaheer Khan

Indian left-arm pace bowler Zaheer Khan, who has been such a success in the World Cup, has received an approach from Warwickshire to be the replacement overseas player for New Zealander Shane Bond during the first six weeks of the forthcoming English county season.

There is quite a bit of activity as overseas players are taken by their national sides for tours and tournaments. While Essex have benefited from Andy Flower's decision to quite international cricket, all the top Australians contracted to counties will be missing for the early part of the season as they are heading for the Caribbean on tour.

Middlesex have signed 32 year-old pace bowler Joe Dawes in place of fellow Queenslander Ashley Noffke . Dawes will also fill in should Abdur Razzaq receive a call-up to the Pakistan squad for the one-day internationals in England in June.

Meanwhile Northamptonshire's pace bowler Darren Cousins is facing the grim prospect of an end to his first-class career. Cousins made quite an impact when arriving at Wantage Road from Essex, where injuries had hampered his progress. However, he has now been told that he cannot continue with stress fractures in both feet. Cousins is to seek further medical advice before making a final decision.