Mahmood ready to step up

Sajid Mahmood is poised to take another step forward tomorrow and underline why England believe he could be the next recruit to their now impressive rank of international fast bowlers.

Mahmood, the 22-yearold, Bolton-born Lancashire paceman, has already been named in a 14-strong squad for the NatWest triangular tournament matches against New Zealand and West Indies.

And tomorrow should see him make his first senior England appearance, albeit in a NatWest warm-up meeting with Wales - effectively a Glamorgan XI - at Cardiff 's Sophia Gardens.

He is genuinely quick - "quicker and nastier than Simon Jones" was the verdict of England Academy boss Rod Marsh in India four months ago - and genuinely ambitious.

"My dream is to play for England," said Mahmood. "I hope I get the chance and if I do I want to grab it with both hands."