Lancashire News: Warne bid brewing (23 Aug 1997)

23 August 1997

Lancashire News: Warne bid brewing

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

LANCASHIRE are in danger of missing the boat in their bid to sign Shane Warne. Warne's agent Austin Robertson is currently in England for talks with a number of interested counties, and Lancashire chief executive John Bower has joined retiring chairman Bob Bennett at the Oval.

But committee spokesman John Brewer today insisted that Lancashire would make no fresh approach until they have received the results of the latest specialist's report on Wasim Akram's shoulder injury early next month.

And that delay could prove crucial as they face stiff competition from Sussex, Notts and Northants for Warne's signature.

Meanwhile Neil Fairbrother is winning his fitness battle to boost their flagging Sunday League title bid at Bristol tomorrow.

Fairbrother has been under treatment all week after missing the championship disaster at Derby last weekend with a thigh strain. He is set to return along with John Crawley for the game against Gloucestershire, who are also on the fringe of the title race.

But both sides were watching developments at the Oval today before finalising their teams, with Gloucestershire overseas player Shaun Young in action as well as Lancashire pair Mike Atherton and Peter Martin.

Glen Chapple strengthened his case to replace Martin in the Lancashire lineup with 3-25 as Lancashire bowled out Hampshire for 130 to win by 146 runs.

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)