Lamb news saddens counties

I think he's been a very good chief executive of the ECB Somerset chief Peter Anderson Lamb to quit as England chief

The news Tim Lamb will resign as England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive has been greeted with dismay among some of his county counterparts.

Lamb will announce his decision on Thursday following mounting pressure over his role in the handling of England's planned tour to Zimbabwe.

Lancashire's Jim Cumbes told BBC Sport: "It's been awfully difficult to tread the right path over Zimbabwe.

"I haven't detected any disquiet with Lamb among the chief executives."

The Zimbabwe issue aside, Lamb has met opposition from chairmen of the 18 counties over the issue of first-class reform.

"I haven't been aware of any great criticism of Lamb within the game," Cumbes added.

"I would say the opposition to Lamb has come from the non-executives in the game.

"I can only assume Tim himself is frustrated and has got fed up with the situation.

"I wouldn't envy anybody in his postion regarding Zimbabwe. It's a poisoned chalice."

Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson echoed Cumbes.

"I feel pretty sorry that he's chosen to go for whatever reason," Anderson said.

"I think he's been a very good chief executive of the ECB and he's been overwhelmed by international circumstances beyond his control.

"He's been criticised for failing to get a grip over Zimbabwe, but how could he get a grip?

"The World Cup fiasco was not of his making and nor is the current Zimbabwe situation.

"People will zero in on that and forget all the other good work that he has done.

"I feel sorry for him."