LANCASHIRE may rest England duo Mike Atherton and Peter Martin for tomorrow's championship clash with Somerset at Old Trafford.

Both men rushed from the second Test at Lord's to Aston Rowant for yesterday's NatWest victory over Oxfordshire, and Lancashire don't want to push them too hard.

"We are trying to be fair to everyone, but particularly Athers, who has the extra responsibilities of captain," explained coach John Stanworth.

"He is always dead keen to play, whether it's for Lancashire or England, and there just isn't chance for him to have a rest."

Atherton will meet with his fellow selectors this weekend to pick England's team for the third and final Test against India at Trent Bridge a week on Thursday, a game which is now followed by Lancashire's second round NatWest tie against Northants at Old Trafford, and three days later the Benson and Hedges Cup final against the same opponents.

So this is his last chance for a rest, although it may depend on the fitness of Jason Gallian and John Crawley.

They both missed the NatWest tie, Crawley still struggling with the hamstring injury he suffered at Chelmsford two weeks ago, and Gallian with the broken finger sustained at Trent Bridge a fortnight earlier.

Both were having fitness tests today for the first of three consecutive home championship fixtures for Lancashire, who have drawn their previous two Old Trafford games against Leicestershire and Gloucestershire. Somerset are five places above Lancashire with two wins out of seven. Their dangermen are Andy Caddick, who will be keen to impress Atherton in his bid to regain his Test place, and Australian all-rounder Shane Lee.

Atherton was named man of the match by former Gloucestershire spinner David Allen after Lancashire's 189-run victory over Oxfordshire yesterday.

Atherton hit 79 and shared an opening partnership of 147 in 38 overs with Mike Watkinson which set Lancashire on the way to a 68-over total of 318-6, with Nick Speak hitting a new NatWest best 83.

Oxfordshire made no effort to go for the runs after two early wickets for Ian Austin helped reduce them to 33-3.

Former Barnoldswick player Mike Scothern produced an excellent spell of three for 29 off 11 overs in Cumberland's defeat by Middlesex. Settle pro Paul Beech also hit 42 as the home side were bowled out for 168 chasing 270. David Pearson (East Lancs), Mike Ingham (Haslingden), Jonathan Fielding (Clitheroe) and Marcus Sharp also represented Cumberland.

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