NEIL FAIRBROTHER showed his class by reaching 148 for Lancashire's second team against Northamptonshire at Crosby yesterday, in his first innings for more than six months.

Fairbrother had hardly picked up a bat since the end of last season after suffering a blood clot following a routine cartilage operation, and was only cleared to resume training at the weekend.

But there was little sign of rustiness as he batted for almost five hours and faced 225 balls.

Skipper Gary Yates also scored 106 to give Lancashire a lead of 245 on a rain-affected second day, and they then reduced Northants to 74 for two with a wicket each for James Anderson - his ninth of the match - and Stephen

Crook, an Australian who has a British passport and is having trials with Lancashire.

Meanwhile, Sussex captain Chris Adams has become the latest member of the Kyle Hogg fan club.

The former Derbyshire and England batsman hit a superb century on the first day of the Frizzell Championship match at Old Trafford.

But he was still impressed by Lancashire's teenage all-rounder, who earned three for 38 from 18 overs to continue his consistent form.

"Hogg was definitely the pick of their attack," said Adams. "He was right on the spot all the time. He looks like a belting find for them." Hogg, who had only played two National League games before this season, has already played a key role in Lancashire's first two Championship wins against Leicestershire and Warwickshire with returns of five for 48 and

three for 16.

But Lancashire are facing an uphill struggle to claim a win from this match, and that is mainly down to Adams.

He won the toss and chose to bat, but Sussex slipped to 101 for three with Warren Hegg taking a brilliant one-handed catch to send back Richard Montgomerie, then Hogg trapping Murray Goodwin lbw with his first ball and switching ends to bowl Tony Cottey.

But Adams steered them out of trouble in stands of 67 with Mike Yardy, 79 with Robin Martin-Jenkins and 51 with Matthew Prior.

He lofted Gary Keedy for two sixes on the way to his third century in Sussex's three Championship matches this season, although Keedy gained some consolation by bowling Yardy and Martin-Jenkins.

Then Hogg returned to have Prior caught by Keedy at mid wicket off a top-edged pull - his 20th wicket of the season in all cricket.

LANCASHIRE are hosting a dinner to pay tribute to Mike Atherton on the eve of the Old Trafford Test against Sri Lanka on June 12th. Speakers will be David Lloyd, Geoff Miller and Jack Simmons and tickets are available for £35 from 0161 282 4053.