According to the English Cricket Board yesterday, they were ``open-minded'' about the advance of technology, though it is unlikely they would contribute to the development costs of such a system envisaged at Cape Town University.

Tim Noakes, head of sports research at Cape Town, said this week the right technology was available to develop electronic lbw adjudication for umpires, though the initial cost of two high-speed cameras essential to the project would amount to around £100,000.

The method would involve one camera behind the batsman and another square, so that the computer could predict the trajectory and height of each delivery for the umpire's benefit.

The Noakes system is worth considering because, even if it fails to meet the requirements of match conditions, it could prove to be a very useful training aid under live conditions. Umpires would be able to practice under controlled conditions, and testing their ability should therefore become possible.

The closest existing simulation would be to use video film, when the ball strikes a tissue-paper screen positioned like pads in front of the stumps. The umpire would adjudicate from viewing the freeze-frame before the clip is continued for a clumsy accuracy test.

In the meantime umpires with human fallibility will be officiating as usual at county grounds for the championship matches starting today.

A compelling match is in prospect at Old Trafford, where Lancashire meet Gloucestershire, who are well placed behind leaders Surrey, with two matches in hand. Lancashire, fifth, would have a fighting chance for the title if those two rivals were to falter.

Worcestershire have announced they have retained Tom Moody as their captain next year irrespective of World Cup absence, and they have called up Nathan Batson, 20, a batsman who started the summer in Essex club cricket with Billericay, for their game against Nottinghamshire at Kidderminster.

Middlesex, who have drifted down to second from bottom, meet Warwickshire, another side underachieving, at Lord's.

Warwickshire have turned to the brittle, shining, batting talent of Anurag Singh for his first match after the Cambridge University season. This means there is still no place for David Hemp or Trevor Penney in three matches.