LANCASHIRE coach Dav Whatmore refused to criticise his young players after a difficult Championship baptism at Old Trafford yesterday.

They struggled to cut the ice in freezing conditions, with Sussex moving comfortably to 285-5 after winning the toss and choosing to bat. But Whatmore said: "It was a workmanlike day and there were two pleasing aspects.

"First, we didn't drop any chances. And I was also happy with the way we stuck at it all day in difficult conditions.

"But I was quite impressed with Sussex. They batted well and looked useful."

The day had started with Peter Marron and his groundstaff scraping ice off the covers, but the ball still nipped around for Peter Martin, Glen Chapple and debutant Mike Smethurst early on.

But Toby Peirce and ex-Northamptonshire man Richard Montgomerie stood firm for Sussex, with a few edges eluding the Lancashire slips and a couple of lbw appeals turned down. Chapple was probably the most impressive Lancashire bowler and finally broke the opening stand after lunch when he had Montgomerie smartly caught by Mark Chilton at second slip.

After that Lancashire did well to work through four more Sussex wickets for 143 runs on a pitch which grew easier in the afternoon sun.

There was a wicket each for Martin, Smethurst, Mike Watkinson - who started off with medium pace then switched to off spin - and Chris Schofield, who after being hit for six by Sussex's new Australian signing Michael Di Venuto, gained revenge by having him lbw after team.

"It wasn't easy for Smethurst to come in for his first Championship game on a day like that, and it's easy to forget that Schofield has only played two Championship matches before," Whatmore said of his young bowlers.

"They will bowl better, but they did ok."

But Marron woke up to a new challenge today - it was snowing at Old Trafford this morning.

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