Blow for Westwood and Bears

Ian Westwood could miss the start of the season after a wrist injury forced him home early from South Africa. Westwood will return tomorrow after it was decided that the injury requires surgery. He will have an operation early next week with a three or four week recovery period.

Better news of Chris Woakes though. A scan has shown no serious problem with his sore groin.

Jim Troughton led the way as the Bears beat a Free State Cricket Union XI by 12 runs in a 50-over game.

Warwickshire 318 for 9. Troughton 75, Maddy 48, Baker 45 (34 balls, five fours and a six), Botha 35, Carter 35, Frost 25.

Free State 306 for 9. Botha (young local lad) 100 from 74 balls. Rankin (10-1-30-1) and Carter (6-1-16-1) got most out of a good batting track, Carter looking particularly rapid. Tahir 8-0-51-0. Miller 3-0-32-0. Piolet 9-0-58-3 (mixed it up well). Barker 4-0-45-0. Maddy 6-0-32-1. Botha 4-0-28-1.

Finally, how very sad about Natasha Richardson. Evidently a very nice person and certainly a terrific actress, not least, in 1987, in "A Month in the Country" with Colin Firth, Kenneth Branagh and Patrick Malahide. An exquisite film with the most beautifully poignant ending. Catch it if you can.