LANCASHIRE hit an injury crisis today as they faced up to their floodlit clash at Hove.

Ian Austin was ruled out and Neil Fairbrother was a big doubt after both were hurt in fielding mishaps during yesterday's championship defeat by Sussex.

Austin needed stitches in a gashed knee after colliding with team-mate Richard Green and was limping badly. Fairbrother bad a split finger after taking a slip catch.

"It's a good job we have strength in depth," said acting captain John Crawley.

But there's no doubt that Lancashire will be stretched to the limit for their opening Axa Life League game tonight, the first of six floodlit matches this season.

Mike Watkinson is a possible, although he missed the championship game with an arm injury, Green - who was a sub yesterday - will take over from Austin, and Gary Yates is available. However it could mean Lancashire playing two spinners, Yates and left armer Gary Keedy, who is normally sidelined for one day matches.

Lancashire's injury problems piled up on a dramatic last day in the rain-hit championship struggle, when Sussex achieved a target of 260 in 87 overs.

Crawley had no regrets about the adventurous captaincy, which gave both sides a chance and provided some great entertainment. "It was a good day's cricket and I'd do the same again," he said.

Sussex made it with two balls to spare after a nail-biting rain interruption near the end.?

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