AUSTRALIA coach Geoff Marsh is to resign at the end of the current tour of Sri Lanka - and that could alert Lancashire.

The Old Trafford club have still to decide how to fill the gap left by Dav Whatmore, now back in charge of Sri Lanka, and Marsh's name is bound to crop up at the next meeting of the Cricket committee.

Since Whatmore left at the end of July, captain John Crawley has been responsible for all playing affairs. But if Lancashire decide they need another experienced, international coach then Marsh fits the bill perfectly.

The former Test opener was handed another two years with the Aussies just a month ago, but the Australian Cricket Board are now arranging an interim coach to accompany the team on their our to Zimbabwe in October.

Marsh leaves after a period of enormous success for the Australian team with a series win in the West Indies, Ashes victory against England and triumph in Pakistan followed by the capture of the recent World Cup.

He said his decision was a difficult one but came down to the priority he placed on his family after 14 years with the national team as a player and coach.

The opening day of Lancashire's championship match at Worcester was washed out by rain and bad light and there was no play before lunch today.

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