Lancs head coach will spell out future

CRICKET CHRIS OSTICK ASHLEY Giles says his Lancashire future will be resolved ‘soon’ after being linked with a move back to Warwickshire.

The Lancashire head coach and cricket director has been strongly linked with a return to his former job as cricket director at Edgbaston.

He missed preseason training at Emirates Old Trafford last week, but returned on Monday for a meeting with Lancashire chairman Michael Cairns.

It is understood, Lancashire are keen for a compensation package from Warwickshire, with Giles having only signed a new contract in April.

Giles, who joined Lancashire ahead of the 2015 season, admits he hasn’t fallen out with Lancashire, but the fact his family still live in Droitwich, Worcestershire, is key to his future.

“It’s a very sensitive issue,” Giles told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I have not fallen out with Lancs, it’s a very personal issue.

“I have spoken to the chairman today and hopefully we come to a resolution soon.”

When the fact his family still lived in the Midlands was mentioned, Giles added: “You’ve hit the nail on the head there. But at the same time we sign contracts and are paid to do a job.”

Giles had an impressive first season, leading the side to promotion back into Division One of the Specsavers County Championship and to the NatWest T20 Blast title for the first time.

But this year was more of a struggle as a youthful side avoided relegation back to Division One on the last day of the season despite a good start to the campaign which at one point saw them top the table.

And in one-day cricket, Lancashire failed to progress from the group stage in the defence of their T20 title.