LANCASHIRE skipper Mike Watkinson has thrown his faith behind a trio of Old Trafford hopefuls hammering on the first team door.

The county relied on squad strength throughout last season when international calls robbed Watkinson of the services of a host of senior professionals.

Of the 17-strong party who toured Jamaica, Richard Green, Andrew Flintoff and Darren Shadford were the three babes in experienced arms.

Green has realistically set his sights on a regular first team place enjoying an explosive start to the season.

In the three-day friendly he took six Yorkshire wickets, including a spell of four in four over.

Then he chipped in with two more in Lancashire's comfortable 40-overs Roses friendly on Sunday.

Then at Old Trafford on Tuesday Green added four for 22 in 10 overs in a 50-over friendly against Yorkshire, taking his wickets tally to 12 in three innings.

But the bowling of Shadford and batting of Flintoff - who is unable to bowl this summer because of a mystery back injury - have also caught Watkinson's eye.

He said: "Darren continues to produce balls which surprise batsmen.

"The ball which dismissed Graham Gooch last season was one of the best balls we bowled all summer.

"Andrew Flintoff has opened the batting and looked very strong.

"They all have to make sure they stamp their mark on the side when they have a chance and make it difficult for me to leave them out when the Test players return." It is, however, Green who has pushed the hardest for an early place when the serious business starts as Lancashire launch the defence of the Benson and Hedges Cup against the Minor Counties tomorrow.

"I just want to play as much first team cricket as I can. There is a lot of competition at Lancashire, but it would be a blow if they drop me now," said the 20-year-old Warrington-based youngster.

But competition for places will be intense with Glen Chapple, Mike Watkinson, Jason Gallian and John Crawley back from the England trial at Chelmsford, and Neil Fairbrother also on the comeback trail from his hamstring injury.

But Peter Martin could be doubtful after missing Monday's game with a slight shoulder injury.

Green admits he has been surprised by the success he has enjoyed so far this season.

"I didn't do anything in the winter, but ever since the pre-season tour of Jamaica I've been bowling quicker," he said. "I suppose it's just growing up and getting stronger."

He impressed in two Sunday League appearances last season, and also claimed three wickets on his Championship debut at Surrey in September.

But he admits: "For most of the time I was a batsman who could bowl.

"I batted at three or four with the second team and bowled second change. Now I am bowling first change for the first team and batting at 10 or 11. But I'm not complaining."

Minor Counties will choose from a 13-man squad for Friday's Benson and Hedges Cup curtain-raiser against Lancashire at Old Trafford. The squad includes five players yet to play in the competition, including new Oxford University wicketkeeper Jonathan Batty who plays for Oxfordshire.

Lancashire second XI (431-6d and 201-2d) drew their match with Kent (325-8d and 263-9) at Canterbury.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.