Leading the A team would be a considerable compensation if Hollioake were to miss selection for the main tour and his leadership qualities have been in evidence several times for Surrey this season.

The selectors had especially hard choices to make in the usual areas: choosing between the three main competing all-rounders, Hollioake, Ronnie Irani and Mark Ealham, and between at least 12 viable contenders for a maximum of 10 places for fast bowlers in the two teams.

It will be a surprise if Chris Silverwood, the 21-year-old Yorkshireman, does not join Darren Gough in the 15 for Zimbabwe and New Zealand, although his selection would leave at least one capped Test bowler feeling very unlucky today.

That could be Peter Martin, despite the fact that he topped the Test bowling averages in South Africa last winter.

The talking began yesterday before the official selection meeting when David Lloyd discussed his position as coach with the two senior TCCB executives, Alan Smith and Tim Lamb.

Lloyd was dissatisfied with the money being offered to him for the tour, which is expected to earn the senior players around £30,000. Lloyd was initially appointed for this summer only when Ray Illingworth was relieved of his management duties, but he was expecting to be offered terms for at least two years after working effectively with Mike Atherton this season and bringing fresh ideas and boundless enthusiasm to the dressing room.

The demands of the job have been greater than he imagined and he was unhappy with the salary initially suggested, having relinquished his position as Lancashire's coach, not to mention reducing the number of his appearances on the after-dinner circuit. It would, however, be a surprise if he and the TCCB do not reach a compromise figure.