Notts deal looks Taylor-made

James Taylor celebrates scoring a century for England Lions during August's One Day International match against Sri Lanka A (Getty Images)

A deal to take one of England's most promising young batsmen, James Taylor, to Nottinghamshire is "70 per cent" done, according to the club's chief executive, Mike Siddall. The 21-year-old still has a year to run on his contract at Leicestershire but has been allowed to speak to other counties after having decided not to take up the offer of a new contract.

Two former Australia stars are returning to Yorkshire after Jason Gillespie was unveiled as their new first-team coach and opener Phil Jaques as overseas player for the next two seasons.

On the field, V V S Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit centuries as India racked up 631 for 7 against West Indies on the second day of the second Test in Kolkata. The tourists then finished on 34 for 2.