Andrew Crook: on his way out of Old Trafford © Getty Images

Mike Watkinson, the club manager, said: “Following a recent appraisal with Andrew, it has been agreed that he will not be offered a contract for 2007. Andrew has therefore asked me to inform other counties of his availability with regard to loan cricket or trials for the remainder of the 2006 season.”

His brother, Steven, left Lancashire part-way through the 2005 season to join Northamptonshire after failing to gain a spot in a strong Lancashire team. Andrew holds the Lancashire one-day batting record of 162 not out in the C&G Trophy, against Buckinghamshire, last season.