MIKE Watkinson has called in former England off spinner Eddie Hemmings to help solve Lancashire's spinning problems.

Both Watkinson and Gary Keedy have struggled for wickets and control this season, sharing a total of 41 wickets compared to 84 last year.

Watkinson explained: "We wanted somebody to work the spin bowlers. I have never felt in the same rhythm as he had last season and spin bowling is all about confidence.

"You need to know where it's going ball after ball. It's been nice to get somebody like Eddie. I have had a few sessions with him in the last couple of weeks."

Today Lancashire were facing Sussex, the county who released Hemmings last season after his 29-year career which started with Warwickshire then Nottinghamshire.

Both sides are struggling in mid-table, Sussex a few places higher than Lancashire who are still looking for their second win.

Sussex came into the game without Ed Giddins, the promising paceman who was recently banned until 1998 by the TCCB for drug-use.

But they have a number of other young seamers in Danny Law, Jason Lewry, Robert Kirtley and the West Indian Vasbert Drakes, as well as England leg spinner Ian Salisbury.

Lancashire, without Texaco trio Mike Atherton, Graham Lloyd and Peter Martin, had John Crawley back at number three and Ian Austin returning to the attack but failed to make an early breakthrough as Sussex, who won the toss, were 44 without loss after 10 overs.

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