STEVE ELWORTHY today reflected on the worst day of his cricketing career - and pledged to battle back for Lancashire.

Elworthy has maintained a diplomatic silence since being told by Mike Watkinson on the morning of the Benson & Hedges Cup Final that he was out of the team.

"But you can put it down as the worst day of my career," he agreed with a rueful smile.

"By far, in fact, and not just in cricket. I was devastated because my parents had flown over and my wife and family were also there."

But former Rishton professional Elworthy insists that he never considered quitting Lancashire in the hours and days that followed. He had a meeting with coach John Stanworth on Monday and after being left out again for the rearranged Sunday League game against Warwickshire, returned to Lancashire's side yesterday in the championship clash with Derbyshire.

"I'm here to do a job and I still have to fulfill that job," added the 31-year-old. "Part of my job was done because we got through to the final."

Elworthy is one of only three championship ever-presents this season along with Watkinson and Warren Hegg. "That was the main reason they brought me over," he says. "They thought there would be a few more absentees for Test cricket than they have actually got now that Digger isn't in the fold.

"It's up to the three of us to keep our records going. I'm lining up to play in every game."

But Elworthy is also desperate to regain his place in Lancashire's one-day team before the NatWest quarter final against Derbyshire a week on Tuesday.

"We have a couple of Sunday League games before that so I have a bit of time to force my way back in," he said. Despite the agony of the last week, Elworthy says he has no regrets about signing for Lancashire. "None whatsoever. I wanted to have a year in county cricket after a couple of years in the leagues.

"But it will almost certainly be a one off. This could be my last time in England. Another county would have to offer me a two-year contract and I have no plans to come back to the leagues although I wouldn't rule out playing league cricket again in another three or four years."

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