STEVE Elworthy's Lancashire misery continued at Old Trafford today.

The South African all-rounder was left out again for the big NatWest quarter-final against Derbyshire, Lancashire's last chance of keeping their season alive.

Former Rishton pro Elworthy was hoping that his impressive performance in the Sunday game against Glamorgan at Swansea might win him a recall after the massive disappointment of missing out on the Benson & Hedges Cup Final at Lord's.

And he had also won his first Gold Award for taking four for 14 at the corresponding stage of the B&H against Gloucestershire at Old Trafford.

But Lancashire stuck with the side which won at Lord's two weeks ago as they aimed to stay on course for a repeat of their unique one-day double in 1990. They were boosted by the return of Mike Atherton from his Test disappointment and also Neil Fairbrother, ruled out of the championship game against Glamorgan with a calf strain.

Fairbrother was badly missed yesterday as Lancashire were set 287 to win in two sessions by Glamorgan skipper Matthew Maynard.

They were on course at tea, reaching 109 for two, but then suffered an England-style collapse against spinners Robert Croft and Dean Cosker, losing five wickets for 22 runs in 29 balls.

Derbyshire were without Ashton-born paceman Andrew Harris, who impressed in their championship and Sunday League wins at Old Trafford last week, but suffered a side strain on Saturday.

Lancashire were 44 for no wicket off 16 overs-Gallian 17 not out, Atherton 15 not out.

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