IAN Sutcliffe was looking to make up for lost time as Lancashire begun their Frizzell County Championship campaign at Northamptonshire on Saturday.

The left-hander got off to the best possible start by scoring 152 in a friendly match against Yorkshire at Old Trafford on Wednesday, which Lancashire won by 119 runs.

And Sutcliffe is ready for more action after a frustrating 2003, when he suffered a string of injuries, including a fractured cheekbone.

He said: "It was frustrating with the injuries last year, but I thoroughly enjoyed my first season at Lancashire."

His innings on Wednesday was a continuation of the form he showed on Lancashire's pre-season tour of South Africa, where he finished as the leading run scorer. Sutcliffe has spent the winter travelling the world to work on his technique.

He says: "I've probably been round the world twice. I went to Australia and practised in Perth and then to India to work on playing spin bowling.

"The time I spent in India was probably the most productive, as I wanted to improve my play against the spinners. I feel my technique has improved a lot."

Sutcliffe was trying to help steady Lancashire's innings today after a wobbly start.

They lost opener Alec Swann for a duck, as he was trapped lbw by Northamptonshire's South African all-rounder Johann Louw. Sutcliffe and Mark Chilton took Mike Watkinson's side to 27-1 after 11 overs.

Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson went into today's game with a near-full squad - including new signing Dominic Cork - to choose from.

Andrew Flintoff and James Anderson are on England duty in the West Indies.

The opener also thinks that Lancashire have a great chance of winning the County Championship this season. "We have got great depth and balance in the squad. The likes of Sajid Mahmood, Kyle Hogg and Steven Crook are developing all the time so we definitely have the ability."

Sutcliffe's innings helped Lancashire to a convincing 119 run win as Yorkshire were bowled out for 178 in reply to the home team's 297 for five.