The present incumbent is Bob Bennett, England's tour manager in West Indies last winter, former chairman of Lancashire and still an Old Trafford committee member.

By virtue of his position, Bennett imposes disciplinary sanctions on Test players - most recently the £1,000 fine on Ben Hollioake for turning up late to Test practice at the Oval - but there appear to be misgivings over some of his decisions.

The names of Brian Bolus, once one of the 'three wise men' during Ray Illingworth's selectorial regime, and Middlesex's Alan Moss have been mentioned as possible candidates for the position.

RICHARD HUTTON is parting company with the Cricketer magazine after seven years as editor. Hutton's departure can be traced to a clash of two strong personalities between him and the chairman, Ben Brocklehurst.

Hutton, the former Yorkshire and England all-rounder, took over when Christopher Martin-Jenkins became The Daily Telegraph's cricket correspondent in 1991.

The rift is all the more unfortunate because Hutton's wife, Charmaine, is Brocklehurst's daughter.

At least she had something to celebrate yesterday with the publication of Cream Cakes and Boundaries, compiled through the accumulated wisdom and culinary invention of the tea ladies from the 659 villages who take part in the National Village Championship.

THE lengthy procedure for covering and uncovering grounds often seems out of sync with the late 20th century. But a Bristol firm think they have come up with a significant advance.

Gloucestershire and Glamorgan have been sufficiently impressed by Tildenet's Matchsaver cover system that they have installed it at Bristol and Cardiff. The covers passed with flying colours at Bristol on Tuesday night as rain caused frequent interruptions in the floodlit game against Somerset.

A major selling point for Matchsaver is that it takes only three minutes and one person using a remote control device to cover an entire pitch.

GOING for a mere £1,500: the right to be called Lord and Lady of Old Trafford. This perfect gift for well-heeled Lancashire supporters is one of the titles currently on offer from English Feudal Titles.