LANCASHIRE have confirmed that Warren Hegg will take over as captain next season.

Hegg will succeed John Crawley, who was relieved of the captaincy duties last month.

The 33-year-old wicket keeper has been Crawley's vice-captain for the last two years.

And as he said today, the news comes as a great tonic as he prepares to leave for India with the England squad in a fortnight.

"It's great news, especially after being selected for the tour squad," said Hegg.

"I'm really looking forward to working with Mike Watkinson and getting back the winning ways we had at Lancashire in the 1990s."

Watkinson was recently appointed to a new position of cricket manager, effectively succeeding former coach Bob Simpson, so it will be all change at the top at Old Trafford next season.

Hegg has been with the club since 1986 and received his cap in 1989. He is already the second most successful wicket keeper in Lancashire history after George Duckworth, and has always been a highly popular figure at Old Trafford with team mates and members alike.

The club have also been boosted by the award of £1million funding to provide a state of the art IT education centre at Old Trafford.

"We are thrilled that we have been awarded the largest grant in the country, enabling us to go ahead with this exciting project," said Jim Cumbes, the county's chief executive.

"People will be able to visit Old Trafford and learn new IT skills in addition totours of the ground and cricket coaching."