Fatkin leaves Glamorgan

Glamorgan's chief executive, Mike Fatkin, has parted company with the county with immediate effect less than a year before Cardiff hosts the first Ashes Test.

Fatkin, who has been at Glamorgan since the early 1980s, oversaw the County Championship victory in 1997 after taking over the role from Gwyn Stone.

His influence played a major part in Glamorgan's accession to Test-match status, and during his tenure, their home ground at Sophia Gardens was extensively redeveloped ahead of next summer's maiden Test against Australia.

But with just 10 months to go until that historic fixture, Fatkin is reported to have made a dramatic exit. Glamorgan received extensive criticism for their handling of the one-day international between England and South Africa last week, which was washed out after only three overs.

This week's County Championship fixture against Worcestershire has also been affected by the weather, although the outfield is due to be relaid with Lord's-style drainage before the Ashes contest next summer.

The details of Fatkin's departure remain remain shrouded in secrecy, and the club chairman, Paul Russell, added to the confusion when he told journalists in Cardiff: "I have got absolutely no comment to make. This is pure speculation."