JIM CUMBES is likely to be confirmed as Lancashire's new chief executive next week, writes ANDY WILSON.

Wednesday night's committee meeting, the first to be chaired by Jack Simmons, made no definite decision on a successor to John Bower whose exit came as such a shock last month.

But the club still haven't advertised the position and it seems only a matter of time before Cumbes, who took over from Bower on a temporary basis, is given the job full time.

Lancashire were battling to recover at Bristol today after slipping to 24-2 in their reply to Gloucestershire's first innings 262.

Ian Austin, completing an impressive record of playing in every match in all competitions this season, had given Lancashire a flying start by reducing Gloucester to 20-3 and then returned to complete figures of 4-44.

Today's start was delayed due to rain.

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