Afzaal reminds the selectors

Wayne Veysey|Evening Standard14 April 2012

The name of Usman Afzaal is unlikely to get too many mentions in England selection meetings this summer.

Yet the last time Australia toured England, in 2001, the Northamptonshire left-hander played all three of his Test matches to date as injuries took their toll on England's firstchoice batsmen.

At Lord's today, in front of England selectors Geoff Miller and Rod Marsh, he gave a reminder of his wristy but unfulfilled talent with a 120-ball 75 as Northamptonshire posted 238 all out off their allotted 50 overs against Middlesex in the C&G Trophy.

After reaching 175 for two in the 39th over, Northants lost seven wickets for 40 runs before Rob White fought back with an enterprising 36 not out.

Meanwhile, England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones and Test outcast Rob Key shared an opening stand of 123 for Kent at Derby before Jones was dismissed for 70. Key made 41.

C&G Trophy, 2nd rnd (all first innings completed):

Lord's: Northants 238 v Middx.
Bristol: Gloucs 230-8 v Surrey.
Derby: Kent 257-4 v Derby.
Old Trafford: Essex 195-9 v Lancs.
Cardiff: Glamorgan 230-8 v Hants.
Headingley: Yorks 241-9 v Worcs.
Edgbaston: Warwicks 235-9 v Leics.