Simon Kerrigan puts playing career on hold amid form struggle

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Simon Kerrigan, the Lancashire left-arm spinner who made one Test appearance for England in 2013, has put his playing career on hold to focus on coaching after a struggle to find form.

He will work within Lancashire's coaching structure for the remainder of the 2018 season but will stay on the club's playing staff.

"My form hasn't been at the level that it needs to be for a while now and after discussions with head coach Glen Chapple and the cricket management team at the club, we have all agreed that I will remain part of the playing squad and assist with coaching across all areas of Lancashire cricket for the time being," Kerrigan said.

Lancashire's director of cricket, Paul Allott, said: "We respect Simon's situation and the club are committed and eager to support him in the coaching opportunities that will present themselves across the county this coming summer, and to help him return to what he feels is an acceptable level of form."

Kerrigan, 28, played a key role in Lancashire's 2011 County Championship title with 26 wickets in five matches and over the following two seasons pushed himself into the England frame. However, his Test debut, against Australia at The Oval, was a traumatic affair as bowled just eight overs for 53 runs.

He remained a regular in the Lancashire four-day team over the following three seasons, but last summer went out on loan to Northamptonshire when he found his opportunities limited at Old Trafford due to the presence of Stephen Parry and the emergence of legspinner Matt Parkinson.

In four matches for Northants he took 12 wickets and hasn't featured for Lancashire at the start of 2018 campaign.

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Imam-ul-Haq makes fifty as Pakistan batsmen struggle

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Kent 39 for 1 trail Pakistan 168 (Imam 61, Gidman 5-47) by 129 runs
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A half-century from Imam-ul-Haq was the one bright spot for Pakistan as they began their tour of the UK and Ireland with a warm-up match in Canterbury. The Pakistan XI were dismissed for 168 after electing to bat, Kent's Will Gidman taking five-for, with Imam the only member of the top order to pass 17.

Imam was sixth out, as Pakistan slid from 111 for 3 to 140 for 8, before Hasan Ali cracked 24 from just 11 balls to lift them to 168. Hasan then struck with his fourth ball, pinning Daniel Bell-Drummond lbw, as Kent moved to 39 for 1 in reply before bad light brought an early close.

The nephew of selector and former Pakistan batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq, Imam made his ODI debut last year, scoring a century on his first international appearance. Batting at No. 3 against Kent, he scored nine boundaries while spending almost three hours at the crease, pushing his case for inclusion in the Test side.

"It was difficult, it was a very rainy day and the conditions were favouring the bowlers," Imam said. "We were working very hard, had a good session the last two days. I was trying to adapt as quickly as I can, trying to have positive intent."

Pakistan lost both openers with the score on 28, Azhar Ali bowled driving at Gidman and Sami Aslam then trapped lbw by Harry Podmore. Haris Sohail was also out lbw, to Gidman, but Imam and Asad Shafiq added 58 for the fourth wicket.

However, after Shafiq was dismissed for 17, bowled by Ivan Thomas, Pakistan's lower-middle order melted away. Babar Azam and Sarfraz Ahmed were caught behind, Shadab Khan had his stumps disturbed by Calum Haggett and Gidman completed his five-wicket haul when he had Mohammad Amir lbw for 4.

Hasan was last out, a second wicket for Podmore, and although Pakistan struck early in Kent's reply, Sean Dickson and Joe Denly guided the home side to the close.

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