Lancashire batsman Iain Sutcliffe is a man on a mission - he wants to force his way into the one-day team after a season's exile.

The former Leicestershire opener has been a rock at the top of the Red Rose batting order in the County Championship - but he just can't seem to replicate that form in the limited overs arena.

This summer could be a completely different story though, as he wants to be involved in as many games as he can in helping the county compete in all four competitions.

And Sutcliffe could get his first opportunity to shine in one-day cricket tomorrow when Lancashire host Durham in the first of two Friends Provident Trophy style contests at Old Trafford.

"Having not played any one-day cricket last year, I am obviously wanting to get back into that set-up," he confirmed.

"To do that I have got to play at my optimum best, and through sheer weight of runs in the four-day stuff get back in the one-day team.

"But my main goal is to play the best that I possibly can so that we can challenge properly in all four competitions."

The former Oxford University boxing blue, who hit 774 Championship runs last season, has already faced the men from the Riverside in a two-day friendly on the recent tour of Cape Town.

He came up against England bowler Steve Harmison, and saw enough to suggest that Durham could feature in the quest for honours this season.

"I certainly do think they have improved because they have made some good signings," he continued. "They have got a good pace attack, they are looking very impressive, and they will be very tough to beat."

"The one big factor for them early on will be Steve Harmison. I think he plays the first five games of the season - that is massive because he is a world-class bowler."

Harmison will not feature in the friendly double header because he has been named alongside his county colleague Graham Onions in the MCC squad to face county champions Sussex at Lord's on Friday.

Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson was last night discussing selection issues for the two games with captain Mark Chilton.

It is expected that most of his playing squad will be utilised in the lead up to next week's Liverpool Victoria Division One opener at Warwickshire.