TEAMWORK will be the key for Lancashire this season.

That was the message from new cricket manager Mike Watkinson as they launched the 2002 season with a Frizzell Championship match against Leicestershire at Old Trafford today.

Lancashire have lost stars such as Mike Atherton, John Crawley and Muttiah Muralitharan during the winter, leaving a new-look team taking the field under new skipper Warren Hegg.

"We don't have a Wasim Akram or a Muttiah Muralitharan this year," said Watkinson.

"So we're going to have to take the field as a unit and support each other. It's up to anybody to step up and take the 60 or 70 wickets that we need.

"But we're going to need a lot of thought and strategy in how we approach opposition batsmen as well."

Hegg and Watkinson are the ideal combination to boost Lancashire's spirit after a traumatic winter.

They have experienced support from new signings David Byas and Stuart Law, who have both lifted trophies in the last eight months for Yorkshire and Queensland respectively and will be able to help Hegg from first and second slip.

"We're all in it together," added captain Hegg. "I suppose that what I've lacked in ability as a player I've tried to make up with enthusiasm and a never-say-die spirit, and I expect us all to have the same attitude."

Lancashire were set to hand a first class debut today to 18-year-old all-rounder Kyle Hogg, the son of former seamer Willie and grandson of West Indies leg-spinner Sonny Ramadhin.

He was named in a 12-man squad yesterday with ex-Northants batsman Tim Roberts and young Burnley paceman James Anderson just missing out.

"My aim for this season is to push myself into the first team," said Hogg, who impressed for England in the under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, then on Lancashire's pre-season trip to South Africa.