England start their campaign here this afternoon against Canada in their World Cup qualifier with two good wins against the Canadians behind them this year – just last month they won 4-0 in Seoul. The four majors count as being part of both Tours.In Malmo yesterday, Padraig Harrington shot a six-under-par 66 in the first round of the Volvo Scandinavian Masters to move one step nearer a celebrated Walker Cup and Ryder Cup double. Ken Schofield, the Tour executive director, said instead of the 10 automatic places being decided solely on European events in the 12 months prior to the Ryder Cup, world rankings could also be taken into account.
Schofield was responding to a call on Wednesday by Colin Montgomerie, the European No 1 for the past four years, for the 12 members of the team to be selected according to their world rankings.The issue has been highlighted by the plight of US-based Swede Jesper Parnevik, currently ranked 15th in the world and runner-up in the British Open two weeks ago.Because he is no longer a European Tour member, the only way he can qualify for the team is by gaining one of the two wild cards from the captain, Seve Ballesteros.Schofield said he was against selecting players solely from the world rankings and preferred a combination of the European points table and the world rankings.The executive director said this would then not penalise players playing events on other tours, providing they played the minimum of 11 events on their home European Tour.This could pave the way for players such as Montgomerie and some of Europe’s top youngsters, such as Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke, to play more events on the US Tour.While the European Tour minimum appearance qualification is 11 events, the US Tour demands a minimum of 15. Matt Windows and Nick Trainor are given the chance to forge an opening partnership and Matt Church will bat at No 4..

European Tour officials are studying proposals to broaden the Ryder Cup qualification system which will not penalise players playing on other Tours. Another point of interest came when the game was held up by the arrival of the Daily Telegraph correspondent’s labrador in the middle of the pitch.Gloucestershire are resting three of their regular batsmen for today’s four-day match with Pakistan A in Bristol. He hit 15 fours and three sixes, one which flew into the main sponsors’ marquee.Hussain has so far faced 170 balls for his 52. Hussain is no slouch but he was content to let Law have his head, for trying to keep up with such a formidable player in this form only invites disaster.Law’s 100 took 147 balls and altogether he faced 162 balls for his 124 not out. All this, after Leicestershire, who had lost the toss, had quickly removed the Essex openers.Paul Prichard was caught and bowled off one from Alan Mullally which lifted unexpectedly and at the same score, nine, Darren Robinson was well caught at third slip when he went after a wide one from David Millns.After that, it was an endless succession of lovely strokes.

While Hussain’s present run of good form continued, he was eclipsed by Law’s wonderful stroke play on a day when rain claimed 45 overs. It really was as though there was one rule for us and another for them. Law’s confidence and assurance was only matched by Ricky Ponting at Headingley in the recent fourth Test.
Law’s driving forms the basis of his game, but his cutting and pulling is no less effective and, if you bowl at his pads, it is at your peril. It was a pertinent commentary on the events of this summer that when England’s leading batsman, Nasser Hussain, reached 50, Stuart Law, from Queensland and not asked to tour England with Australia, had made 96 – although he had batted for 15 fewer minutes. According to Alcott, the injury is “minor” and Taylor will be fit in time for the fifth Test at Trent Bridge next Thursday.. His place was taken by Alex Morris because their preferred replacement, Ryan Sidebottom, is on duty with the England Under-19 side.The Australian captain Mark Taylor has been forced to miss Australia’s four-day game against Somerset today with a recurring back injury.Taylor has been advised by the team physiotherapist, Errol Alcott, to take a break from cricket and spend some time with his family.