Date-stamped : 18 May94 - 22:25 Lancashire 1994 Preview WATKINSON'S CHANCE TO STOP THE ROT Super-fit Mike Watkinson will have to stretch his muscular frame in four directions as he bids to lead Lancashire out of the Cham- pionship doldrums. Captain, middle-order batsman, seamer and off-spinner - the 32-year-old action man has it all to do. But Watkinson, taking command after the resignation of Neil Fair- brother, relishes the challenge. "There is a lot to think about, but that doesn't worry me," he says. "I had a good season with bat and ball last year and, hopefully, I will continue in the same vein. "As far as the captaincy is concerned I aim to make sure we go about our cricket in a business-like way, thoroughly prepared and in the right frame of mind. "I am sure there will be enthusiasm and commitment - and I also want everyone to enjoy it." Watkinson, who can perform 100 press-ups in a minute, knows his fitness is vital to Lancashire's chances of lifting the Old Trafford crowds after two dreadful seasons. They could easily find a temporary replacement as skipper - any one of six others in the squad who have captained at first class level - but an in- jury to him would leave big gaps in batting and bowling. Last season when Lancashire finished in the bottom six for the 22nd time since 1960, the dependable Watkinson finished with more championship runs than anyone else - 936 - and 44 wickets. He leads an interesting mix of experience and youth into a crucial campaign for a club heavily in debt both on and off the field after two strife-torn seasons leading to the exits of two managers and a string of senior players. Lancashire's batting, which has flattered to deceive, again looks strong enough. John Crawley will open with Mike Atherton - and could join him in the Test side - Fairbrother is all out to re-establish himself as an England candidate and Aussie-born Jason Gallian will be pushing for a place. But there are question-marks over the attack: Wasim Akram must leave at the end of July for Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka and Phil Defreitas's move to Derbyshire leaves much respon- sibility on the young shoulders of Peter Martin and 20-year-old Glen Chapple. Squad: M A Atherton, I D Austin, A A Barnett, C Brown, G Chapple, J P Crawley, N A Derbyshire, N H Fairbrother, J M Fielding, J E R Gallian, R J Green, M E Harvey, N P Harvey, W K Hegg (wkt), J A L Henderson, G D Lloyd, P J Martin, P J Seal, D J Shadford, N J Speak, J Stanworth (wkt), S P Titchard, Wasim Akram (overseas), M Watkinson (capt), N T Wood, G Yates. Contributed by Vicky (VIGNESWA@*umass.edu)