Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson admitted that it was good to be back at Old Trafford after watching his side beat Durham in a competitive pre-season friendly yesterday.
The Westhoughton-born Red Rose boss was delighted with his side's one-day 21-run victory that saw Mal Loye smash 80 and both Glen Chapple and Oliver Newby claim three wickets apiece.
"There is a real feeling of the new season now," he said. "We are back here at Old Trafford, we are playing against county opposition, and there was a few people on giving us good support."
"And to win the game as well is a good feeling given that it was quite a close game throughout."
"But going through the process of playing the game, and everybody trying to fill in with roles in the match is the most important thing."
Loye's 80 was the stand-out effort in a Lancashire total of 224-8 that had looked under increasing pressure when the visitors had made their way to 168-4 in reply.
But Chapple and Newby were helped along by two wickets for Tom Smith and one for Simon Marshall in a finale that created that all important mid-season intensity, with Durham losing their last six wickets for 35 runs.
Paul Horton had earlier chipped in with a useful 37 that won't have done him any harm at all in his bid to secure his place in the side that will begin the County Championship season next week.
But Loye's 92-ball knock, that included seven fours and two slog-swept sixes, was the real reason for getting his side to a useful total that they were ultimately able to defend within 48 overs.
Bolton youngster Karl Brown should get his chance in the second Friends Provident style Trophy game against Durham at Old Trafford today.
"There will be one or two changes for the game," continued Watkinson. "I think Chil (Mark Chilton) will have a rest, but other than that I think we will just see how people pull up. I think that we will be trying to keep the backbone of what we had."
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