Lancashire start their match against Yorkshire at Old Trafford today with a number of leadership questions to be answered on and off the field.

Bower's departure was said to be ``amicable'', but no details were offered on the departure of a businessman whose tenure at Old Trafford has not always run smoothly.

Yorkshire, in fourth place, are making another realistic tilt at the championship title. Lancashire are not . . . again, and to the dissatisfaction of the largest membership on the circuit.

There have been cricketing judgments that have gone wrong at Old Trafford, with the overseas player an example. In contrast to the success at Yorkshire of Darren Lehmann, Lancashire's overseas player, Wasim Akram, has not played since May, when his chronic shoulder injury worsened.

Akram's replacement last year, Steve Elworthy, could not hold down a first-team place, and suspicions are growing that Mike Watkinson, the captain, is losing his effectiveness as an all-rounder after a season dogged by an arm injury.

Jason Gallian, a possible future captain, has indicated more than once he wants to leave the club, and there must be doubt whether Michael Atherton, on holiday during the Yorkshire match, will play county cricket regularly again, England's captain or not.

The loss of Bennett's diplomatic qualities will be felt at Old Trafford, but there is to be no turning back. He wants to concentrate on his England management committee role, and his replacement at Lancashire will be decided in February.

Darren Gough returns to Yorkshire after recovering from injury and will partner Paul Hutchison for the first time in the championship; a pairing that could prove to be the most effective in county cricket. Hutchison's 16 wickets in two championship games must be the most impressive start for years.

Glamorgan, the leaders, might have to take on Leicestershire, the champions, without their captain, Matthew Maynard, whose dislocated index finger was still swollen yesterday.

Sussex, bottom of the AXA Equity League, play Surrey, the 40-overs champions, under lights at Hove tonight.