LANCASHIRE started life without Muttiah Muralitharan at Old Trafford today - still facing a tough battle to earn their place in the First Division of next year's Championship.

The Roses Match was the first of five against other counties who are scrapping desperately for points in the congested Championship table. Yorkshire went into the game in fourth, 10 points and three place above Lancashire.

But there are then only four points between Lancashire and Middlesex in tenth - which would mean Second Division cricket next season.

And even Notts, way down in 15th, are only 12 points behind Lancashire - which could be made up by one win.

It is exceptionally tight and although we have put some good results on the board we can't afford to relax," said captain John Crawley after Lancashire's latest win at Derby the week before last - their fourth on the trot.

Lancashire's other four Championship matches this season are all against teams with everything to play for.

Next week they go to Worcester, who are 14th. Then it's Durham, who are 12th, and third-placed Kent at Old Trafford before Lancashire wrap up their season against NatWest Trophy finalists Somerset at Taunton in September.

Crawley has targeted two more wins to guarantee a place in the First Division - and thinks a third win could be enough to put Lancashire in the top four.

Today's start was rain-delayed but Lancs were without England's Mike Atherton and also Ian Austin, whose knee injury has flared up again, as well as Muralitharan.

Richard Green, Gary Keedy and Chris Schofield all returned to the squad. Yorkshire had Chris Silverwood missing on Test duty, Darren Gough injured and Greg Blewett back in Australia as they aimed for revenge for Lancashire's National League double and a repeat of their NatWest quarter final win at Old Trafford last month.

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