Close, 67, who also played professional football for Bradford, lost his seat on the committee to Tony Vann by 707 votes to 611 ahead of today's annual general meeting.

``It is a sad day but life goes on and I will now have more time for charity golf and cricket,'' said Close. ``Sadly, we are now down to two former players on the committee.''

Yorkshire president Sir Lawrence Byford, who was re-elected for another year, said talks were still continuing between Yorkshire and Headingley's owners, Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Company, over the club's future at the ground.

Western Australia beat Queensland by five wickets yesterday to win home advantage against Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield final, which starts on Friday.

Western Australia outclassed Queensland, last season's champions, in just over three days in Brisbane, needing 106 runs to secure victory in their second innings.

Tasmania also won, defeating Victoria by 120 runs in Melbourne, but finished with a lower scoring percentage than Western Australia.

Amay Khurasia scored 117 not out for India A, and Australia's Steve Waugh also registered a century as the three-day match at Jamshedpur ended in a draw yesterday.

India A, 175 behind after the first innings, were 241 for two when play was called off.

Makhaya Ntini has been named in the South Africa squad to play Sri Lanka in Cape Town on Thursday. If picked, Ntini would become his country's first black Test cricketer.