Lancashire Seek Coach

Lancashire are set to launch a search for a first-team coach later this week with the county's long-serving cricket manager, Mike Watkinson, expected to move upstairs to a new position as director of cricket.

Watkinson has been in charge of cricket matters at Old Trafford since succeeding Bob Simpson ahead of the 2002 season, and although under proposals that will be discussed at a committee meeting on Thursday he will retain a major influence, the former England all-rounder would step back from his day-to-day role with the team.

It has been an autumn of upheaval at Lancashire with the captain Stuart Law sacked and Dominic Cork also released, but the club will present this latest change as a more orderly and less acrimonious transition.

The chief executive, Jim Cumbes, is due to retire next year and although he is likely to retain a consultancy role, Watkinson will effectively take some of his responsibilities for cricket as part of a management shake-up that has already been hinted at by the chairman Michael Cairns. However, Lancashire will be keen to appoint their new coach as soon as possible before the serious preparations begin for the 2009 season.