LANCASHIRE coach Bob Simpson today hailed John Crawley's gutsy and timely return to form -- and the team's 'most pleasing performance' in the Australian's two seasons at Old Trafford.

Crawley hit an unbeaten 84, his best score of the summer which thrust him back into England contention, to steer Lancashire to a draw against Surrey at the Oval.

They never threatened a victory target of 293 in five hours, but with Andy Flintoff supporting Crawley in 41 overs of unusual restraint, avoided a third consecutive defeat at Surrey with impressive comfort.

The nine points consolidated their position in second in the First Division table, although Yorkshire have now stretched 28 points clear.

And Simpson said: "That was the most pleasing performance we have had in the couple of years that I have been here. We showed a lot of maturity and self-control."

Not surprisingly, he had special praise for the captain, who defied energy-sapping heat to resist the Surrey attack for 71 overs.

"It didn't surprise me because he has been heading that way for about a month," added Simpson.

"He has been batting well but a lack of concentration has been getting him out. But technically he has been batting better than I have seen him. There weren't any shots across the line, and I can't recall an lbw shout against him."

On Crawley's Ashes prospects, which have been revived by the injury concerns over Graham Thorpe, Michael Vaughan and Mark Ramprakash, Simpson said simply: "Ever since 1993 I have thought he has had the talent."

But with his Lancashire hat on, Simpson needs Crawley for the second leg of their southern tour against Kent at Canterbury starting tomorrow.

Mark Chilton is expected to return but Mike Atherton is still missing and pacemen Peter Martin and Glen Chapple each picked up niggles at the Oval, so Lancashire called up John Wood and young Kyle Hogg as cover.