Lamb faces uncertain future as counties up the pressure

The England and Wales Cricket Board have dismissed reports that the chief executive, Tim Lamb, is about to resign as "pure speculation".

The England and Wales Cricket Board have dismissed reports that the chief executive, Tim Lamb, is about to resign as "pure speculation".

Lamb, who became the game's first chief executive seven years ago, has already survived a vote of no confidence at the last meeting of the First Class Forum a fortnight ago. Doubts over his position have been fuelled by a rebellion from the counties as a result of ECB proposals for a major restructure of the game.

The counties, who hold the power within the ECB constitution, are also unhappy about the way he has handled, and continues to handle, the Zimbabwe affair. That controversy also played a role in Nasser Hussain's decision to resign as England captain following the World Cup last year.