SOURAV Ganguly turned on the style at last for Lancashire in the unlikely setting of Cleethorpes yesterday -- then set his sights on Lord's.

Ganguly hit a brilliant unbeaten 120 from 98 balls with 18 fours and two sixes, smashing 30 off the 30th over bowled by the helpless David Pipes to complete a crushing 10 wicket victory over Lincolnshire in the third round of the NatWest Trophy -- and a record opening stand with Mike Atherton.

Lancashire now face Essex, who survived a real fright against Wales yesterday, at Old Trafford in the fourth round on July 5 and Ganguly said: "We were a little worried that we could not qualify for the final of the Benson and Hedges Cup so now we have got our minds set on this tournament."

The India Test captain has made a disappointing start to his Lancashire career, with only two half centuries from 14 innings before yesterday and the interruption caused by the Asia Cup in Bangladesh.

"It is a relief," he said of his first Lancashire century. "But there is a long season ahead and this is the beginning."

"The sun is coming out now, the wickets are getting better so it will be a good three months to bat in."

Ganguly also described the Cleethorpes outfield as "the fastest I have ever seen" -- high praise from a man who has played all over the world from Melbourne to Madras.

Lincolnshire had done well to make 190 in their 50 overs with Cambridge University student Richard Howitt making a half century and Ganguly the pick of the Lancashire bowlers with 3-26 -- making him a landslide winner of the man of the match award.

But with Atherton playing a supporting role to end unbeaten on 52 from 82 balls, Lancashire cruised effortlessly to victory with the opening stand of 193 beating the county's previous NatWest best for the first wicket of 167, set by Atherton and Steve Titchard against Worcestershire at Old Trafford in 1995.