GLEN CHAPPLE was still in a Manchester hospital today with Lancashire battling desperately to stay alive in the Benson and Hedges Cup.

Chapple was kept in overnight after an operation on the dislocated knuckle he suffered fielding in Lancashire's defeat by Yorkshire yesterday morning, a shattering blow to his hopes of forcing his way into England contention this season.

While he is expected to be out for up to a month, Lancashire's immediate concern was to find a replacement for today's clash with Derbyshire at Old Trafford - a game they must now win to retain any chance of qualifying for the quarter finals.

Skipper Mike Watkinson is still struggling with his arm injury and looking increasingly doubtful for Friday's trip to Warwickshire, and with Wasim Akram still unavailable Andrew Flintoff came in for his first B&H appearance. "It's terrible timing for Glen," said coach Dav Whatmore today. "I guess the only consolation is that there is still a whole season to go at and plenty of time for him when he does come back."

Lancashire held a clear-the-air meeting immediately after tumbling to a 49-run defeat with a pathetic batting performance.

But today's start against Derbyshire was even worse. Opener Andrew Flintoff and number three Warren Hegg both fell for ducks before John Crawley was run out for two to leave Lancashire on 7-3.

"We had a meaningful 10 minutes," added Whatmore after a disastrous start to his new side's defence of the one-day double."

Although there were a few rough edges to their fielding and they conceded 11 wides, Lancashire had done well to dismiss Yorkshire for 2-3 in the 48th over after an opening stand of 69 in 15 between David Byas and Martyn Moxon.

Peter Martin claimed 3-31 and a run out, there were two wickets each for Ian Austin and Richard Green, but the pick of Lancashire's bowlers was Gary Yates with 2-36 from 10 overs.

Whatmore had planned to open with Chapple and Mike Atherton in the absence of regular pinch-hitter Watkinson, but had to shelve those plans and reckoned Lancashire allowed Yorkshire back into the game with a dreadful start which saw them struggle to 57-4 in the 23rd over.

Neil Fairbrother at last found a willing partner in Austin for a fifth wicket stand of 67, but after Austin went caught behind the rest of the batting folded to leave Fairbrother unbeaten on 64 from 98 balls, his 19th B&H half century.

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