The news is better with regard to Niall O'Brien, who Simmons confirmed would keep wicket after a finger injury.

BBC: Ricky Ponting wants an end to Ireland player exodus

Tripathi, 22, arrived at Wantage Road on a short-term deal at the start of this season while 26-year-old Harrison, who can also keep wicket, joined the staff last year after impressing on trial.

BBC: David Wigley one of three players released by Northants

McCullum, passed fit to play and keep wicket despite a hip injury, was trapped lbw by Shaun Tait off the second ball of the innings, while Guptill and Fulton fell soon after each other as Bracken and Mitchell Johnson turned the screw with a succession of maiden overs.

BBC: Kiwis snatch win in Perth opener

The sixth wicket pair saw out the final 90 minutes to keep Durham at bay, Nash making 85 as Sussex hung on to salvage a draw from the game on 169-5.

BBC: Nash denies Durham first victory

Afridi took himself out of the attack having conceded 22 from three overs and Strauss and Trott were then content to keep things progressing steadily with singles, sharing England's highest second-wicket ODI partnership against Pakistan as they put on 146.

BBC: Century for Andrew Strauss in England win over Pakistan

But Somerset's narrow two-wicket defeat by Durham at Taunton meant that one-day specialists Sussex keep their title to add to August's Twenty20 Cup win.

BBC: Sussex retain their Pro40 crown

He was brilliantly taken by Smith, who managed to catch the ball above his head on the long-on boundary but keep his balance and stay inside the ropes, giving the impressive Henriques a third wicket.

BBC: Sussex well beaten in first game