cricket: Lancashire leg-spinner Simon Marshall has revealed that new captain Stuart Law has gone back to the one-day blueprint that took the county to a Lord's final two seasons ago.

The Lightning finished as the runners-up in the 2006 C&G Trophy Final, losing out to Sussex in an epic battle.

But they played some of their best 50-over cricket since the days when Lancashire were known as the Kings of one-day cricket under the captaincy of current manager Mike Watkinson.

And it was all down to what was constantly referred to as "role awareness" by every member of the squad.

Last season was a major disappointment, with Mark Chilton's men failing to make it out of the Friends Provident Trophy North Group.

But the Lightning kicked off 2008 in fine style by dispatching Scotland at Edinburgh on Sunday.

They are about to embark upon a defining period in the competition with three games in eight days - starting on Sunday against holders Durham.

And Marshall explained: "Last season we went into it all very well prepared. It was just that we didn't have the success straight away.

"Then we tried a few different things, and only got it right at the end of the 50-over campaign, which was a bit frustrating.

"Hopefully we can play the Friends Provident this year just like we played for the whole of 2006 when we got to the final. We have spoken a lot about that."

Marshall, 25, is currently behind Gary Keedy in the pecking order for County Championship cricket.

But he did play in last week's LV Division One draw against Somerset because Keedy missed out with injury.

"I feel well positioned to get into the one-day side regularly - I think that is a good place to start for me," added Marshall."

The first day of Lancashire's three day friendly against Durham UCCE was washed out at the Racecourse yesterday.