WASIM AKRAM and Mike Watkinson are set to link up for Lancashire for the first time in a month against Kent at Old Trafford tomorrow.

But they still face a tricky selection decision over Mike Atherton.

Wasim and Watkinson both came through fitness tests at Old Trafford yesterday, giving the club a timely boost as they aim to bounce back from their Taunton nightmare.

Wasim has only played in one of the first five Championship matches, when he suffered a recurrence of his shoulder problem early in the second innings against Notts.

And after he broke down again in the nets before the Leicester game two weeks ago, Lancashire feared that he would be out until next week's game against Glamorgan at Liverpool.

But Watkinson said today: "Wasim wants to play and there has been some improvement in his shoulder. It's looking quite promising."

And it's the same story for Watkinson himself, who played in both the Championship and Sunday League defeats at Taunton, but bowled only three overs as he was clearly struggling with his arm injury. "I bowled in the nets yesterday and suffered no discomfort whatsoever for the first time," added the Lancashire skipper.

"I still have to wait and see the reaction, but I am more optimistic."

Lancashire are also hoping that Atherton will play, although they were waiting to see if he had recovered from his Edgbaston exertions after taking the last two days off.

Atherton was mentally and physically exhausted after leading England to an emotional First Test win and Lancashire have always insisted that they would not force him to play.

But there is extra pressure on the team after their disastrous start to the season, and Jason Gallian is definitely out with his hand injury.

Kent, who beat Northants at Canterbury yesterday to reach the Benson and Hedges Cup Final, are a formidable force in both one-day and Championship cricket.

Pacemen Martin McCague and Dean Headley will be keen to impress Atherton, Mark Ealham is also fighting for his Test place under increasing pressure from Adam Hollioake, and new signings Alan Wells and Zimbabwe leg-spinner Paul Strang have helped take Kent to third in the table.

Watkinson warned: "It's important for us to bounce straight back after Taunton, but it won't be easy against Kent and we will have to be at our best."

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