PETER Martin today set his sights on an England recall.

The 27-year-old paceman, dropped for the Third Test against India and also the following week by Lancashire, bounced back to top form with a man of the match performance in the NatWest Trophy victory over Northants on Wednesday.

And on the verge of today's Lord's rematch in the Benson and Hedges Cup final, Martin promised more to come.

"I need wickets - as many as possible," he said.

"I have never conceded many runs, the problem has been my strike rate.

"Two's and three's aren't good enough now.

"While Athers is around I have to bowl teams out."

Martin was bitterly disappointed to be left out by fellow Lancastrians Mike Atherton and David Lloyd for England at Trent Bridge, where he had set a new career best with seven wickets in Lancashire's championship game against Nottinghamshire, earlier in the season. Even worse, he had no chance to stake a late claim as Lancashire left him out for the match against Somerset at Old Trafford, then a calf strain ruled him out of last week's clash with Worcestershire.

"It hurt to be left out, it was terrible," added Martin, one of the few successors on England's winter tour. "But that's gone now. I have to make sure they can't leave me out again."

He proved his point with a devastating new ball burst on Wednesday which reduced Northants to 29-4, then showed his batting qualities yet again by calmly hitting the winning runs.

Today's game was the perfect stage for both Martin and John Crawley to boost their hopes of playing some part in England's series against Wasim Akram's Pakistan, which starts at Lord's a week on Thursday.

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