Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes admitted today that he was "surprised" by Bobby Simpson's announcement that he will leave the club as coach at the end of this season.

But he insisted that Simpson had not resigned but had simply not wanted an extension to his contract.

Cumbes said: "He has not resigned. He had a two-year contract and he just said he does not want to extend it at the end of this season.

"I have to admit I was quite surprised by what happened."

Despite the fact that Lancashire have had a plethora of coaches over the past decade, Cumbes remained optimistic that the club would not have difficulties finding a replacement.

He said: "He is the sixth coach we have had in ten years. It is not a great record," he conceded, before pointing out that the likes of Dav Whatmore and David Lloyd had left for international jobs.

"It is a situation which leaves us with a lot of thinking to do over the next couple of months.

"But I am sure there will be no lack of people who want the job," he added.

Lancashire have not won the Championship outright since 1934 but Cumbes feels that this could be a carrot for a prospective coach.

"It is quite a challenge. I should think it must be a fascinating for an ambitious coach," he said.

"I know that when Bob Simpson first came here he said he could never understand why this club had not won the Championship in 65 years."

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