PETER Martin returned to the squad to boost Lancashire in their NatWest Trophy semi final dress rehearsal against Gloucestershire at Old Trafford today.

But Lancashire were furious that Mike Atherton was not available under instructions from England coach Duncan Fletcher.

Atherton missed Wednesday's National League defeat at Headingley and although he will be able to play in Sunday's semi final at Bristol, he was withdrawn from contention for the league match -- even though it is just as important to Lancashire as they aim to avoid relegation from the First Division. He is the only England player to have taken a break between the Third and Fourth Tests against West Indies, with Darren Gough and Craig White playing their part in Yorkshire's victory over Lancashire while Marcus Trescothick hit a half century for Somerset against Gloucestershire.

The return of Martin, though, was a huge boost for Lancashire ahead of the semi final. The tall paceman has not played since suffering a horrific thumb injury when he was struck on the right glove by Derbyshire's Dominic Cork way back on June 1.

But he proved his fitness by claining four wickets for the second team against Glamorgan on Wednesday, and came through a brief innings with no reaction yesterday.

Chris Schofield was also withdrawn from the seconds after setting them on course for victory, and giving his confidence a much-needed boost, with six second innings wickets for 51 yesterday.

Lancashire had a new batting hero in Alex Scholefield, an opening bowler from Todmorden who top scored with 46.