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Day 1: University challenge for Lancs

Lancashire coach Dav Whatmore found a degree of comfort from a tough opening day at Cambridge University.

The students surprised the 1998 team of the year with a pugnacious batting display, but Whatmore pointed out: ``We wanted a good workout for our bowlers and that's what we got.

``With only three capped players in our team we didn't come here looking to roll them over and I'm pleased with the way we stuck to the job on a placid pitch.''

Stand-in skipper Graham Lloyd knew it would be no walkover for Lancashire as soon as he had lost the toss. But at least it gave the chance for new boy Mike Smethurst and young leg-spinner Chris Schofield to have solid stints.

Oldham's Smethurst marked his debut with Lancashire's fourth wicket of the day and, in his early spell he extracted as much life as possible from the pitch. Cambridge were pinned back in the opening stages with Glen Chapple giving away only 12 runs in eight overs, but makeshift opener Ken Walker hit a half-century and then Quentin Hughes settled in to equal his career best score of 84 from 158 balls.

A late flurry from Greg Loveridge threatened Lancashire further but Whatmore's fledglings hit back in the closing session and Cambridge resumed today on 261-7.

Mike Atherton was due to see a specialist today over his career-threatening back condition.

The Lancashire star has been ruled out of the World Cup but was hoping that today's appointment would signal the start of a comeback.

``It will be up to him to say what rehabilitation and treatment I need, but I'd like to think that there is some cricket left in me, and that I can play international cricket again,'' said Atherton.

But the first step on the road is to get back into action with Lancashire and play well for them without the fear of breaking down.''

Day 2: Lancs youngsters shine

Three Lancashire youngsters staked their claims for places in the Old Trafford championship line-up when they combined to destroy Cambridge University.

Mike Smethurst demolished the students in their second innings with 4-15 from 11 overs and they crumbled to 32-6, only 48 ahead.

Mark Chilton earned a place in the record books by hitting the earliest century in any season, finishing with 106 not out in Lancashire's 245-1 declared.

And Paddy McKeown hit a career best 74 not out sharing in an unbroken stand of 156 with Chilton, who finished on 106.

All three are likely to play against Sussex in the first championship match at Old Trafford next week.

Cambridge collapsed from 29-1 to 29-6 in a devastating 23 balls spell from Smethurst and Richard Green and Lancashire were ready to wrap up a comfortable victory today.