THE pleasure of beating the Australians will soon fade for Derbyshire if they do not find some form in the Britannic Assurance Championship today.

Problems at Derby have been exacerbated by Chris Adams's behaviour, though the team's growing crisis of confidence in batting ensured he could not be dropped, even if the club had been tempted to do so.

Derbyshire find themselves at the bottom of the table at the start of their match against Hampshire at Chesterfield, a turn-around for last year's runners-up.

Dean Jones, their Australian captain, has thinner resources today in any case after Devon Malcolm's England recall for the first Test, and Adams's absence would have crippled the batting, even though his contributions have been modest since his hundred against Kent in the first game more than a month ago.

The unsettled Adams, probably close to selection for England's one-day side, refused to apologise for disputing his own first-innings dismissal during this week's match against the Australians. He is to appeal against the club's fine.

He has always insisted that his desire to leave the club would not affect his attitude on the field, but his claim is beginning to look optimistic.

Rumours circulated that he could be dropped, but the club confirmed yesterday that suspension was never formally discussed as a disciplinary measure.

Nottinghamshire have signed New Zealand Test batsman Nathan Astle to fill their overseas vacancy and he will go straight into the side against Northamptonshire at Northampton.

The 25-year-old from Canterbury has been signed for the remainder of this season after Notts officials secured his release from Lancashire League club Accrington. Astle replaces Pakistan paceman Mohammad Zahid, whose contract was terminated last week due to a stress fracture of the back.

Graham Gooch is poised to captain Essex against Surrey at the Oval. The 43-year-old Test selector and former England captain will take charge if Paul Prichard has not recovered from a groin injury. Vice-captain Nasser Hussain is on England duty.

Leicestershire fast bowler David Millns will miss his side's game against Middlesex at Lord's. Millns has a slight knee problem, which prevented him bowling against Lancashire on Monday, and failed a fitness test yesterday.

Teenage batsman Robert Key is on standby to make his championship debut for Kent against Warwickshire at Tunbridge Wells. London-born Key, 18 last month, has been named in a squad of 12.

Paul Smith, the former Warwickshire all-rounder, has been banned from professional cricket for 22 months for taking cocaine.

Smith, 33, left Warwickshire last summer after a 15-year career and was subsequently contracted to play Minor Counties cricket for Shropshire.