LANCASHIRE meet tonight to relaunch their search for a new head coach following rejection by Dennis Lillee.

"We will continue to look for a figure of international standing who can take the team forward," said Old Trafford chairman Bob Bennett.

Lillee's decision to pull out was a blow - but not a shock. Bennett explained: "I spoke to him on several occasions and he always made it clear that there were contractual problems.

"We have now agreed it's not possible to proceed but I would like to thank him for trying to overcome those obstacles." Lillee, who coaches at the Australian academy, was hoping to be released from part of his contract with the Australian Cricket Board so that he could work at Old Trafford in the summer.

It leaves Lancashire with no chance of naming David Lloyd's replacement before the members' forum on October 1 - and Mike Watkinson still has to be confirmed as captain for next season.

Watkinson was due to fly to Hong Kong today with team mate Ian Austin for international sevens tournament and both miss Lancashire's last game at Edgbaston tomorrow.

The choice of captain will be interesting, particularly after Lancashire's nightmare defeat at Northampton on Monday.

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