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Dav Whatmore has asked Lancashire to release him from his contract so that he can return as coach of his native Sri Lanka.

Whatmore, who was born in Colombo but played seven Tests for Australia in 1978 and 1979, guided Sri Lanka to their World Cup success in 1996 before joining Lancashire the following year.

He signed a two-year contract with Lancashire last September after they won the NatWest Trophy and the AXA League and came second in the County Championship.

But the 45-year-old, recently interviewed for the England coach's job, wants the chance to turn round Sri Lanka's fortunes after their early exit from the latest World Cup. Lancashire's committee will consider Whatmore's request in two weeks and are not expected to stand in his way.

Whatmore said: ``In many ways I will be sad to go. But I am ambitious, and the task of restoring Sri Lanka's fortunes is an exciting one.

``It has all happened very suddenly and apparently stems from very high office in Sri Lanka, where everybody from the president down is determined to re-establish the game there after what happened in the World Cup.''

Wasim Akram has been given the all-clear to make his Birmingham League debut for Smethwick on Saturday after doubts were raised about whether he had been registered.

The league have now confirmed that Wasim was registered in April.

Shane Warne may retire from cricket despite spearheading Australia to victory in the World Cup.

After the Australian team had been welcomed by tens of thousands of supporters in Melbourne, Warne said: ``I will take the next few weeks to decide which way I will go. To be home makes you realise that there are important things in life. And my priorities lie with my family.''

Warwickshire paceman Ed Giddins has been cleared to continue bowling by an England and Wales Cricket Board panel. Doubts over his action had been raised by an umpire.