LANCASHIRE were recovering today after an exhausting four days at the Oval, and with another big game coming up tomorrow when they take on Notts at Old Trafford.

It's a situation which underlines the concerns of players who believe too much cricket is played, lowering standards.

But captain Warren Hegg made the best of it, saying: "When you are playing so well, you want to keep playing as much as possible."

Lancashire certainly played well over the Easter weekend at the Oval, scoring 599 in their first innings and earning 12 points in what Hegg described as a 'moral victory' over the title holders.

Notts, however, beat Warwickshire by three wickets at Trent Bridge, and lead the first table of the season. They have a potent squad even though Australia's Stuart MacGill has yet to link up with them.

It promises to be another exacting four days, followed by Lancashire's opening National League clash against Northants on Sunday.

But Hegg's side is full of high sprits and, if Harbhajan Singh or Muttiah Muralitharan had been available, they would have beaten Surrey. But the Oval's perfect batting pitch, with not one ball swinging or seaming, enabled the champs to hold out with Ian Ward and Rikki Clarke scoring centuries.

Lancashire are hoping that Peter Martin, who missed the Oval because of a family bereavement, will be available tomorrow. Left arm spinner Gary Keedy is fit after hurting a finger in net practice.