Charles Randall: Lancashire lose second top official (27 August 1997)
LANCASHIRE announced yesterday that John Bower, their chief executive, would be leaving at the end of this month; a damaging coincidence after Bob Bennett`s decision last week to stand down as chairman
27-Aug-1997
Wednesday 27 August 1997
Lancashire lose second top official
By Charles Randall
LANCASHIRE announced yesterday that John Bower, their chief
executive, would be leaving at the end of this month; a damaging
coincidence after Bob Bennett`s decision last week to stand down
as chairman.
Lancashire start their match against Yorkshire at Old Trafford
today with a number of leadership questions to be answered on and
off the field.
Bower`s departure was said to be "amicable", but no details
were offered on the departure of a businessman whose tenure at
Old Trafford has not always run smoothly.
Yorkshire, in fourth place, are making another realistic tilt at
the championship title. Lancashire are not . . . again, and to
the dissatisfaction of the largest membership on the circuit.
There have been cricketing judgments that have gone wrong at
Old Trafford, with the overseas player an example. In contrast to
the success at Yorkshire of Darren Lehmann, Lan- cashire`s
overseas player, Wasim Akram, has not played since May, when his
chronic shoulder injury worsened.
Akram`s replacement last year, Steve Elworthy, could not hold
down a first-team place, and suspicions are growing that Mike
Watkinson, the captain, is losing his effectiveness as an allrounder after a season dogged by an arm injury.
Jason Gallian, a possible future captain, has indicated more
than once he wants to leave the club, and there must be doubt
whether Michael Atherton, on holiday during the Yorkshire
match, will play county cricket regularly again, England`s captain or not.
The loss of Bennett`s diplomatic qualities will be felt at Old
Trafford, but there is to be no turning back. He wants to concentrate on his England management committee role, and his replacement at Lancashire will be decided in February.
Darren Gough returns to Yorkshire after recovering from injury
and will partner Paul Hutchison for the first time in the championship; a pairing that could prove to be the most effective in
county cricket. Hutchison`s 16 wickets in two championship games
must be the most impressive start for years.
Glamorgan, the leaders, might have to take on Leicestershire,
the champions, without their captain, Matthew Maynard, whose dislocated index finger was still swollen yesterday.
Sussex, bottom of the AXA Equity League, play Surrey, the
40-overs champions, under lights at Hove tonight.
Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/)