As Phil Hughes blazes his way to ton upon ton for Middlesex, Frank Gregan wonders if English counties should be so quick to accomodate players who will be competing against the national side later in the summmer...

It would appear that the ECB is not best pleased with some of the counties and are levelling charges of 'fraternization with the enemy' against a few of them. First it was Kent who offered the Australian pace bowler Stuart Clark the chance to come over and get himself acquainted with the English wickets prior to taking his place in the Ashes side and then Middlesex brought in the new Aussie batting sensation Phillip Hughes.

Clark's move to Kent fell through, not because the Kent management remembered the words to "Land of Hope and Glory" or found a patriotic conscience but because Clark was picked for the Australian one day side and wouldn't have been able to fulfil sufficient county obligations. He has been out of the game with an injury to his right elbow and is desperate for match practice before taking his place in the test side.

Gloucestershire have come to his aid and are in the process of cutting a deal that will allow Clark to play in two four day games prior to joining up with his international team mates. Where is the logic in that? It is only two games - hardly likely to have any serious bearing on Gloucestershire's season but it provides Clark with a brilliant rehabilitation that should ensure that he is bang in form for the first test.

Hughes has had a great introduction to the English wickets with Middlesex and certainly found them to his liking scoring an amazing 574 runs in only five first class innings. His home ground with Middlesex was Lords and he also played at the Oval and Edgbaston. That's three test grounds that he has now experienced and conquered and that he will be looking forward to playing on.

The assistance that has been offered to the old foe has not come without criticism: hearing about Kent's initial offer to Clark, England skipper Andrew Strauss accused the county of being "short sighted" whilst national selector Geoff Miller described the situation as "disappointing." It is short sighted and it is disappointing - it is also barmy to offer any potential member of the Australian touring side any assistance.

It's like offering the Luftwaffe the chance to have a look at the anti-Aircraft defences prior to the Battle of Britain, giving terrorists a guided tour of GCHQ or handing an MP an expenses claim form and saying "we'll trust you to fill that in honestly!" There is no logical explanation as to why the counties should be helping the Australians and if they can't conduct themselves honourably then legislation should be put in place to prevent them helping our Skippy loving cousins! It's bordering on treason!

Now then, rearrange this well known phrase - pot, kettle and black because my bet of the year continues to be the Australians to whip our collective English butts this summer and having looked at the series score market it is time to start establishing the portfolio. The core strategy revolves around England not winning a test but the weather perhaps enabling them to snatch a draw or two. The recommendation is to back the Australians to win 3-0 at [11.5], 4-0 at [15.0] and 5-0 at [22.0]. The market is starting to take shape so get the wagers down and wait for a match at those prices.

Not very patriotic but the gold will more than make up for the guilt! Pot, kettle and black again - Andrew Strauss had a pop at Kent for try to get Stuart Clark on board yet kept quiet about Phillip Hughes joining Middlesex. Then again, Strauss is a Middlesex man!

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