Red Rose bank on Cork return

9:29pm Monday 12th May 2008

Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson will almost certainly be missing five seam bowlers for tomorrow's County Championship game against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

Watkinson will be without Andrew Flintoff, Tom Smith and Oliver Newby due to injury, while James Anderson is away with England.

All-rounder Glen Chapple was due to have a scan yesterday on a groin problem he picked up during Sunday's thrilling Friends Provident Trophy win over Yorkshire.

But he batted with a runner, while hitting the winning runs, and must be in grave danger of missing his second four-day game in a row.

"We are getting a bit thin on the ground with our seam bowlers at the moment," confirmed Watkinson, who has at least been boosted by the imminent return of Dominic Cork from a side strain..

"Hopefully we should have Corky back in the reckoning. He played some league cricket over the weekend, and so far has come through OK."

Steven Croft will come into the reckoning for his first LV Division One game of the season as back up for Cork, Kyle Hogg and Sajid Mahmood.

If Croft doesn't make the 11, it would surely mean a spot for South African batsman Francois Du Plessis.

The Nashua Titans man, who also bowls some handy leg-spin, was the hero of the North Division three-wicket success over Yorkshire thanks to an unbeaten 77 off 80 balls..

He was the catalyst for a remarkable recovery from 76-5 to chase down the Duckworth and Lewis adjusted total of 214 from 45 overs.

Ex-Bolton League man Watkinson continued of Du Plessis: "From what you have seen he is a quality cricketer. I would expect him to have big ambitions to play for us in all competitions.

"He is doing himself a lot of favours with that regard at the moment.

"He will certainly come into thoughts for Championship sides. He may not break into it instantly because the batting line up has got a good, regular feel to it.

"He might have to bide his time for a game or two - but he is certainly knocking on the door."

Nottinghamshire and Lancashire occupy first and second spot in LV Division One after three games.

On Flintoff's side strain, Watkinson added: "He has the makings of a strain in his intercostal - let's hope that he will be right in a couple weeks time.

"It's just a cricketing injury that anybody playing the game is susceptible to."

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