LANCASHIRE aim to bring a flavour of Euro 96 into their preparations for the Benson and Hedges Cup Final.

Coach John Stanworth wants the players to go into camp, England-style, for a couple of days before next Saturday's Lord's showdown with Northants.

Secretary Dave Edmundson explained today: "In many ways we are victims of our own success. We have been to Lord's so many times, especially for the B and H, that all the players have their own routines.

"Stanny wants to make it more like a Test match preparation, or the England camp for the European Championships to bring the lads even closer together.

"The players will be stopping somewhere on the way down to London on the Thursday night for a team meal and perhaps a game of golf together."

It is Lancashire's fifth B&H final in seven years, following a clash with Northants in the NatWest Trophy at Old Trafford next Wednesday.

Today Lancashire were in championship action against Worcestershire, although they were frustrated by the weather even before the start.

Lancashire were forced to use the pitch which produced their low scoring Sunday League defeat by Somerset because the rain has prevented groundsman Peter Marron preparing another.

"We had no option," admitted skipper Mike Watkinson, depressed by another poor weekend forecast.

John Crawley and Peter Martin were both missed with injuries.

Lancashire made 17 without loss before rain stopped play.

But Crawley is hoping to return in the second team's Bain Hogg Trophy game against Derbyshire at Urmston tomorrow.

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