LANCASHIRE will be hoping that their injury worries may have eased by the time they next take the field on Friday.

The Red Rose side brought an end to a run of five successive defeats by claiming a draw against Warwickshire at Stratford-upon-Avon.

It was achieved with the bare bones of side after injuries and England call-ups left them decimated.

One of the successes of the match was late replacement Dinesh Mongia. The Indian all-rounder was called up from club cricket in Staffordshire and looked a class batsmen as be chalked up 89.

His left-arm spin also looked a useful addition the bowling attack and he looks a decent deputy for Carl Hooper. In this era of so much international cricket it is a bonus when a quality cricketer can be found in such a short space of time.

Skipper Warren Hegg said: "We played against him earlier in the season and he looked a good player. He has come in and fitted in very well."

Mongia has not been in India's plans since the end of the 2003 World Cup, which should mean he is unlikely to get a call from the national side.

But a top score of 159 not out in one-day internationals proves what he is capable of and with three weeks of one-day cricket approaching in July there could be some match-winning performances from the Indian.

Paul Horton was another player to get a chance due to the injury situation, showing some promise during his innings and looking lively in the field. But if Lancashire want to get their season back on track they desperately need the injuries of key players to clear up quickly.

Lancs skipper

hails new boy

LANCASHIRE skipper Warren Hegg paid tribute to new signing Dinesh Mongia. The Indian played a crucial part in Lancashire ending their losing run with a draw against Warwickshire at Stratford-upon-Avon.

He looked a class batsman as he chalked up 89 and his left-arm spin also looked useful.

Hegg said: "We played against him earlier in the season and he looked a good player. He has come in and fitted in very well."

Mongia has not been in India's plans since the end of the 2003 World Cup, which should mean he is unlikely to get a call from the national side.

But a top score of 159 not out in one-day internationals proves what he is capable of and with three weeks of one-day cricket approaching in July there could be some match-winning performances from the Indian.

Paul Horton was another player to get a chance due to the injury situation, showing some promise during his innings and looking lively in the field. But if Lancashire want to get their season back on track they desperately need the injuries of key players to clear up quickly.