LANCASHIRE must start planning for life after Mike Atherton after he virtually confirmed his retirement at the Oval yesterday.

Athers has still refused to budge on his plan to announce his decision at the end of the season.

But the way he was applauded by the Australians, waved to the Oval crowd and was welcomed back to the dressing room by Nasser Hussain and Alec Stewart after his dismissal by Glenn McGrath could only lead to one conclusion - that Atherton will not be available for England or Lancashire next summer.

In the short-term, the question is will he make a farewell Lancashire appearance in their remaining Championship match against Kent at Old Trafford in a fortnight.

That game is now looking more important than ever after Lancashire failed to beat Essex on Saturday, then Northants claimed a shock victory over Leicestershire yesterday.

Although Lancashire are now joint fourth in the First Division table with Leicestershire, Northants are only 16 points behind. So if they win their game in hand against Kent at Canterbury next week, Lancashire could go into the Kent game in the relegation zone.

They were back in National League action today, making a first visit to Hampshire's new West End ground in Southampton following yesterday's washout at Colchester.

Warren Hegg was again missing as he waited hopefully for a call from the England selectors, with a number of pundits suggesting he has a real chance of being included in the squad to tour India and New Zealand this winter following the withdrawal of Alec Stewart.

The squads are announced tomorrow and Andy Flintoff is also in contention, although he is tipped for a place at the new Academy to be run in Australia by Rod Marsh - along with Chris Schofield.

Meanwhile Mike Watkinson, currently Lancashire's second team captain, has emerged as front-runner to succeed departing coach Bob Simpson, although he will probably be given a new role as director of cricket concentrating on management and also using specialist batting and bowling coaches.