LANCASHIRE delayed selection for today's AXA Equity and Law League clash with Warwickshire at Edgbaston until further clear-the-air talks with Steve Elworthy.

The South African paceman demanded a meeting with coach John Stanworth yesterday after being left out of Lancashire's Benson and Hedges Cup final triumph.

Elworthy was bitterly disappointed after playing his part in Lancashire's march to Lord's and flying his parents over especially for the final.

Stanworth said today: "Steve is a very articulate, intelligent man and we had a frank discussion.

"He was obviously extremely disappointed by what happened, but he is not by nature a quitter and we are hoping that his professionalism will help him to overcome his disappointment."

Lancashire faced the same selection problem today with six bowlers competing for five places in a match they must win to keep their outside title chances alive.

They were boosted on Sunday when defeats for Middlesex and Kent left them 12 points behind new leaders Surrey with two games in hand.

But Northants, the team Lancashire beat both at Lord's and in the NatWest Trophy last week, are still very much in contention eight points ahead of Lancashire having played the same number of games.

Warwickshire have struggled to maintain the form which has seen them dominate county cricket for the last two years. They have suffered a number of injury blows, the most serious threatening to rule out skipper Dermot Reeve for the rest of the season.

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