IAN AUSTIN today explained Lancashire's relief to be away from Old Trafford.

They went into today's game at Leicester bottom of the table after failing to win any of their first three home fixtures.

Lancashire have not won a championship game at Old Trafford since July 1995 and Austin said: "The lads are quite happy to get away.

"It was the same old story at Old Trafford last week against Northants, we struggled to take wickets so we struggled to get a result. Against Durham we were beaten by the weather and in the Notts game the pitch did much more but we didn't bat well.

"For Northants it was back to the sort of pitch we played on last season and we didn't have a good game of cricket. But it generally does a little bit for the bowlers at Leicester, and next week we've got Somerset at Taunton, so hopefully we can go back home with a couple of wins under our belt."

Leicester was the scene for one of Wasim Akram's best performances for the County two years ago, when in his second game as captain, he grabbed 11 wickets and hit an unbeaten half century to clinch the match.

"He just blasted everybody out in a devastating performance," added Austin. "And I know he'd love to do the same again."

Wasim was captain again today with Mike Watkinson ruled out with his arm injury.

The Lancashire second XI attack were put to the sword against Derbyshire at Stafford yesterday when the home side rattled up 402-7 before declaring, Blackwell hitting 102 and Khan 97. Peter Sleep's men were 34 without loss in reply.

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