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Lancashire's England trio were set to shrug off their World Cup heartbreak, and show their commitment to the county, by playing in the CGU National League clash at Leicester this afternoon.

Neil Fairbrother and Andy Flintoff, who were unable to get the runs England needed against India at Edgbaston yesterday, and Ian Austin who was again controversially omitted - could all come straight into the Lancashire team for the Division One match against Leicestershire. Lancashire were expecting all three to cross the Midlands and link up with the rest of the squad in Leicester this morning.

Lancashire are also aiming to bounce back, after a disastrous defeat by Worcestershire in their last National League game at Old Trafford last Sunday left them struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan is also included in the squad after completing his World Cup commitments against Kenya at Southampton yesterday, but is more likely to make his long-awaited Lancashire debut in the Championship game against Gloucestershire at Bristol on Wednesday.

Glen Chapple was not in the squad for today's match because of a side strain so Chris Schofield came in - although Austin, who has not played since England's win against Kenya almost a fortnight ago, would be the ideal replacement.