LANCASHIRE are to advertise for a new coach and make a fresh approach to Andy Flintoff's agent Andrew Chandler.

That was the outcome of last night's cricket committee meeting at Old Trafford and represents quite a change of tack by the club.

Chairman Jack Simmons had hinted last week that he would be happy to appoint a coaching successor to Dav Whatmore from within the club, leaving Neil Fairbrother as favourite.

But now the job will be advertised, leaving Lancashire back at square one in their preparations for next season.

The new approach to Flintoff comes as less of a surprise, although Simmons has insisted that Lancashire simply cannot afford to increase their original contract offer.

Chandler returns from some golfing business in Scotland in the next couple of days and hopes to reach an agreement with Lancashire by the end of the week.

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