LANCASHIRE coach Dav Whatmore today backed John Crawley to take on the Aussies.

Crawley hit a superb unbeaten 51 on the first day of the Championship game against Notts as his team-mates collapsed to 125 all out on a green pitch.

And Aussie Whatmore said: "John showed the stand up and fight attitude that batsmen need, particularly against an aggressive side like Australia."

Even more significant, Crawley's innings came on the sort of green, seaming pitch England are looking for during the Test series to neutralise the threat of Shane Warne.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney has already spoken to Lancashire's Peter Marron and several other Test groundsmen to avoid playing into Australia's hands with dry, turning tracks.

This pitch would have fitted the bill perfectly - and Crawley's technique stood up to the test. Unfortunately for Lancashire the pitch played into Notts' hands after Mike Watkinson had lost the toss.

After so many drawn games at Old Trafford last year they are keen to play on "result pitches." But this one offered so much help to the seam bowlers that it even helped Notts' collection of journeymen medium pacers.

Lancashire were staring at their worst total for years when Notts veteran Kevin Evans fired out Warren Hegg and Glen Chapple in consecutive balls to complete career best figures of 6-40.

But last man Peter Martin strode out to show the rest how to bat, hitting 32 including one big six in a 10th wicket stand of 73 with Crawley which at least gave Lancashire something to defend.

Wasim then raised hopes of an unlikely first innings lead with three quick wickets. But Notts skipper Paul Johnson matched Crawley until he became the first victim of the day, bowled by Chapple for 66 as Notts progressed to 182-5.

Some consolation for Lancashire came with only 14 wickets falling in the day, meaning that the pitch was not automatically reported to Lord's.

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