LANCASHIRE today defended their refusal to complete the Yorkshire innings in a stormy end to the first day of the rain-affected Benson and Hedges Cup semi-final.

B&H games are supposed to finish at eight o'clock, but play can continue with the agreement of the captains, and with Michael Bevan and Richard Blakey going well, Yorkshire were keen to play on.

But Lancashire captain Mike Watkinson refused, leading to an angry on-field exchange with former Rawtenstall professional Bevan, and the Tykes resumed on 198-5 today with only four more overs of their innings remaining.

And they hammered a further 52 runs to take the total on to a challenging 250.

Lancashire were criticised by Sky commentators Charles Colville and Bob Willis for bad public relations, but coach John Stanworth explained: "We were just playing by the rules.

"Obviously it was not in our interests to go on while they wanted to keep playing.

"Bevan wasn't very happy about it and that's possibly why he was all fired up. He played magnificently."

The Australian left-hander brandished his bat in triumph when he reached an effortless 54-ball half century, his fifth in seven B&H innings, and went on to 73 from 65 balls with six fours and a six over square leg off Peter Martin.

Lancashire did well to keep Bevan, man of the match in last year's NatWest Trophy quarter-final defeat, away from the strike as Blakey took 80 balls before completing his 50 from the last ball of the day.

But the sixth wicket stand of 115 in 23 overs brought Yorkshire right back into the game after Lancashire had made the perfect start.

Watkinson won a crucial toss when play finally got underway at half past four, then took two wickets in his first five overs as Yorkshire slumped to 83-5.

There was also one wicket each for Martin, Glen Chapple and Steve Elworthy as all Lancashire's seam bowlers exploited helpful conditions - off spinner Gary Yates didn't get a bowl.

They were brilliantly supported by Lancashire's fielding as Mike Atherton took two catches at backward point and Warren Hegg three behind the stumps. But by the close Lancashire were regretting Atherton's only blemish, dropping a straightforward chance offered by Blakey on seven when the score was just 114.

Lancs went into the game without John Crawley, ruled out with the hamstring injury he suffered at Essex on Sunday and unlikely to play at Durham tomorrow.

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