Craig White has made an excellent recovery from his knee surgery and will fly out on Monday to join his England colleagues in India.

The Yorkshire all-rounder said he is not expecting to play in India, where England are nearing the half-way stage of their six-match series of one-day internationals.

White will be concentrating on building up his fitness for when England move on to New Zealand, where he will be a member of both the one-day and Test squads.

White, who is now in his benefit year with Yorkshire, enjoyed considerable success with the bat in the Test series in India before Christmas, but when he returned home for the festive season he had to have keyhole surgery on a cyst on his left knee.

"I saw the specialist this week and he was very happy with my progress and said I could resume training," said White.

"I have had a spell in the gym and am now looking forward to getting some warm weather and doing fitness building exercises.

"I don't think I will play in India, but I suppose I could just about be ready for the last match on February 3 if I should be wanted.

"The most important thing is be properly prepared for the first one-day international in New Zealand. That is over three weeks away so I have got time to build myself up."

Former Yorkshire president Sir Lawrence Byford is reported to have been taken ill in Africa with a suspected heart attack while on a sea cruise.

His son, Mark, has flown to Cape Town in order to accompany his father home when he is fit enough to travel.

Updated: 11:54 Friday, January 25, 2002