LANCASHIRE skipper John Crawley yesterday fired a message to the England selectors - and followed it with a warning to Surrey ahead of next Wednesday's Benson and Hedges Cup quarter final.

Crawley hit a glorious 98-ball century, his first in the Sunday League, on the same day that he was left out of England's Texaco Trophy squad to set up a 16-run victory over Kent at Canterbury which takes Lancashire joint top of the Sunday League.

He also produced a brilliant piece of fielding to run out Kent dangerman Carl Hooper just as his partnership with Trevor Ward was threatening to bat Lancashire out of the game - further proof of the way Crawley has improved as a one-day cricketer.

And afterwards he said: "We played this game with the intensity of a Cup Final at Lord's. Kent are a strong side so we had to win this one, and we did with a great all-round display."

It was Lancashire's seventh successive one-day win since their opening B&H defeat by Warwickshire. In this form even Surrey, still the favourites for the B&H, hold no fears.

They shrugged off the absence of Mike Atherton with a back injury and Peter Martin with a hamstring strain.

Andy Flintoff, Neil Fairbrother and Graham Lloyd all gave Crawley handy support as Lancashire built a formidable total of 240-6 in their 40 overs. There was only one blemish on Crawley's innings, as he was dropped at mid-on by Nigel Llong on 16, and he capitalised to go nine better than his previous Sunday best, on Lancashire's last visit to Canterbury two years ago. But Kent were cruising on 147-2 with Ward and Hooper especially harsh on Gary Yates and Martin's replacement, Richard Green. Then Crawley struck, swooping from cover to run out Hooper with a direct hit, setting the tone for an outstanding Lancashire fielding performance.

Flintoff gave Yates his only wicket off his last ball with a super catch down by his ankles on the mid wicket boundary to dismiss Alan Wells, then skipper Wasim Akram did just as well running back from mid on to send back Ward for an impressive 101.

Wasim then ripped out Steve Marsh's leg stump, and with Ian Austin claiming two wickets in an over on his way to 3-29 from his eight overs, Lancashire won by 16 runs.

The performance made amends for a disappointing end to the Championship game on Saturday, as after being set 259 for victory in around 50 overs, Lancashire closed on 125-2, settling for 10 points from a draw. But they are still fifth from bottom of the table, and need to beat Essex in their next game starting on Thursday to kick start their four-day season.

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