By Mike Beddow

Warwickshire 181-4 v Lancashire

BRIAN Lara was the batting mainstay of Warwickshire's second entry into the day-night market at Edbgaston.

His second successive half-century in the Axa League, accumulated mainly in a partnership of 111 with Neil Smith, helped Warwickshire to 181 for four.

The home side lost stand-in opener Mohammad Sheikh, dabbling outside the off stump in Peter Martin's second over.

The innings prospered at the expense of Wasim Akram and Glen Chapple but three wickets fell in consecutive overs from Gary Yates.

Smith was run out by Mike Watkinson from midwicket for 47. Lara then clumped Yates to long on and Dominic Ostler played inside a straightish ball.