JOHN CRAWLEY is back in the running for the Benson and Hedges Cup Final.

Lancashire's England batsman came through his school exam yesterday at St Ambrose College Altrincham with flying colours, hitting a half century in his first innings after a month out with a hamstring injury.

And the 24-year-old said today: "I'm very hopeful of being up for selection for the NatWest game against Northants and after that the final.

"I've had plenty of nets against good bowlers and the bowling machine, but there is nothing like playing out in the middle and I'm really pleased with the way it went."

Crawley had missed Lancashire's semi-final triumph against Yorkshire as well as a possible chance to open for England in place of Nick Knight who has also been out injured.

He suffered his second hamstring injury this year, following two months out after snapping the other one in South Africa, the weekend after being left out of England's First Test team.

Since then Nasser Hussain has established himself in Crawley's favourite number three position, but now his return could be timely, as Hussain is doubtful for the First Test against Pakistan in a fortnight after suffering a cracked finger at Trent Bridge. "It has been very difficult missing so much cricket although I have been pleased for Nasser - it's always nice to see people doing well, especially people who struggled at an early age," added Crawley.

"But I was hoping to have a couple of games against India. They have a couple of top class bowlers, but their attack isn't in the same league as Australia, West Indies or South Africa.

"Whatever people say a five day game is very different from a one-day game, but Lord's finals are great days to play in and a lot of eyes are focused on them."

But Crawley's first task is the 60-over NatWest clash with Northants at Old Trafford tomorrow.

As captain Mike Watkinson said: "We're all looking forward to a great day at Lord's, but the NatWest is a very important game in its own right - we're only a few games from Lord's in that."

Last year Lancashire beat Worcestershire in the NatWest to book a quarter final at Yorkshire three days before their B&H victory over Kent at Lord's, with Steve Titchard winning his first-ever man of the match award.

They will face a difficult selection from full strength for the first time since May, with one bowler and two batsmen likely to miss out.

Their Championship game against Worcestershire fizzled out into a tame draw despite half centuries from Neil Fairbrother and Graham Lloyd and 37 from 13 balls from Ian Austin.

Lancashire (from): Atherton, Gallian, Crawley, Fairbrother, Lloyd, Watkinson, Hegg, Austin, Elworthy, Martin, Chapple, Yates, Speak, Titchard.

Settle amateur Paul Ridgway landed the prize scalp of Liam Botham in Lancashire's second eleven fixture against Hampshire at Southampton yesterday. Ridgway finished with figures of four for 37 as Hampshire posted 169 for 6 in reply to 192.

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