CRICKET: Derbyshire will play host to the Sri Lankan touring side at the County Ground next year.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced yesterday that Sri Lanka would replace Zimbabwe as England's first opponents of next summer.

And the tourists will take on an England Lions side in a four-day match at Derby between April 30 and May 3.

The ECB severed bilateral ties with Zimbabwe Cricket two weeks ago on account of the drastic deterioration of life in the African country under Robert Mugabe's regime.

Sri Lanka will fill in for two Tests and three one-day internationals.

The England Lions are in one-day action at the County Ground this season on Saturday 16th August, against South Africa, with an 11am start.

Derbyshire County Cricket Club is launching a half-season membership package.

All memberships for the 2008 season have been reduced by 50 per cent, with 28 days of cricket still remaining.

The tickets will cost £70 for adults, £30 for young adults (16 to 20) and only £10 for juniors (under-16).

A free junior membership will be available with each adult membership purchased and those who sign up by July 29 will be entered into a prize draw for two free places at the Player of the Year Awards Evening.

● Derbyshire's Dan Redfern was unbeaten on 43 as England Under-19s finished their rain-interrupted match against Bangla-desh A at Loughborough yesterday.

Bangladesh scored 195-7 in their first innings and England replied with 142-6, Redfern hitting seven fours in 93 balls.