Instead, he is destined to tour Australia with England in search of the elusive Ashes. He might have to carry out menial duties as a non-player more often than he dons the gloves as Alec Stewart's understudy, but he is more than qualified in the drinks department from his time as a Thwaites Brewery representative, and, if amplified music and flashing lights are required . . .

Typical of his modest character, Hegg hid himself away at Old Trafford yesterday morning as his Lancashire team-mates anxiously scanned the television for the tour announcements.

He said: ``I went to watch the television with the kitchen staff of the players' dining-room because I don't like the limelight. I didn't want to be around when the news broke, good or bad. Eight of the Lancashire lads have been picked for the tours, so there's a terrific atmosphere.''

Hegg had a nervous wait for the lists released at 10.30. He had been widely tipped to make the tour and well aware he had been enjoying a couple of successful seasons with Lancashire.

Hegg, 30, lives in the Manchester suburb of Whitefield. He is a breezy character with boyish features, who does not look his age, and it is difficult to imagine he made his debut 12 seasons ago when, incidentally, he became the first Lytham Cricket Club player to represent Lancashire. His benefit year starts in January.

Mainly through his con- tribution to Lancashire's extraordinary success in one-day cricket, Hegg recovered from the major setback to his career caused by glandular fever seven years ago, which prevented him from touring the West Indies with England A after he had been selected.

``That illness knocked my confidence for three or four years,'' Hegg said, agreeing that a wicketkeeper with no confidence was no wicketkeeper. An A tour to Australia two years ago put him back in the frame.

In the past Hegg has been reluctant to speak about himself, even when equalling the world record of catches in a match, 11, at Chesterfield in 1989. His philosophy has been to take whatever comes along. In this case, it was a tattoo of snicks.

The local media have noticed a change this year - a more forthcoming Warren Hegg - and he found himself admitting yesterday that his voice had become hoarse from interviews.