Rep coach Merola pulls pin on cusp of NSW Country Championships

Illawarra cricket has been rocked with news that representative coach Dean Merola and team manager Paul Cram have resigned, less than a fortnight out from the NSW Country Championships - the biggest rep carnival of the season.

The shock resignations are believed to be linked with selection issues relating to the Illawarra squad named last Friday for the three-day carnival from November 28-30.

Illawarra cricket president Mark Johnston said he was "disappointed" Merola and Cram had elected to resign.

"It is their decision and we have accepted it," Johnston said.

"There has been some unrest with regard to our Country team, regarding some of the processes that have taken place.

"It is absolutely vital that we have the best players possible, and the team working together as one. The decision that Dean [Merola] took is his own and now we will move forward from here."

Former senior coach Steve Davies, who led Illawarra to win the Country title in 2011, is almost certain to be appointed the new head coach, as soon as Monday.

The Mercury spoke to several Illawarra players on Saturday about a range of matters, with one player admitting there were serious problems within the squad over selection issues.

The player did not want to be identified and was not critical of coach Merola but said there was unrest over the "leadership group" announced within the 12-man squad.

Merola confirmed to the Mercury last Friday that a four-player leadership group was in place for the Country Championships.

The group consisted of last month's Sydney Twenty20 Cup skipper David Murphy, Jamie Fleming, Dale Scifleet and Rob Fisher.

Shortly after announcing the squad last Friday, Merola confirmed Murphy was unavailable due to work issues with his job as a police officer.

The Mercury understands Fisher, who was not selected for the three rounds of the Sydney T20 Cup competition last month, was appointed by Merola as the captain for the Country Championships.

Illawarra has been forced to make a change of senior representative captains this season after long-time skipper Graeme Batty headed to Sydney to play in the Sydney Grade competition.

Illawarra made the Country Championship final last year and will face neighbours Southern Zone, Riverina and Western Zone at the Country titles.