John Crawley - future still in doubt Photo CricInfo

Lancashire are refusing to confirm media reports that their former captain, John Crawley, has told them he does not intend to play for them again.

Crawley was replaced as captain after a disappointing 2001 season, and his request to be released from his contract was turned down by the club last year.

Crawley, 30, is reported to have said: "Due to irreconcilable differences between myself and the club, I have informed the chief executive that I have resigned from my contract.

"As far as I am concerned I am no longer a Lancashire player, and in fact Mike Watkinson has told me not to attend any training sessions involving the playing staff."

But this morning Lancashire's Chief Executive, Jim Cumbes, said reports of a parting of the ways were premature.

Cumbes told CricInfo: "There is a conflict between John and the club which we are still trying to iron out.

"As to the reports that he has been banned from the training ground, they are simply not true."

Crawley has won 29 Test caps for England, the the most recent of them in Sydney just over three years ago.

He became Lancashire captain in 1999, and led the county to the National League title and the County Championship runners-up spot twice. He has scored over 15,000 runs in 11 seasons at Old Trafford.

Last season the club narrowly avoided relegation from the First Division of the CricInfo Championship, and failed to secure promotion in the National League. He was then replaced as captain by wicketkeeper Warren Hegg.

Crawley is less than half-way through a four-year contract at Old Trafford.

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