GRAHAM Lloyd has been handed two big chances to stake his claim for a place in England's World Cup squad next year.

Yesterday he was a surprise selection, alongside Lancashire team-mates Neil Fairbrother, Ian Austin and Peter Martin, for the Wills International Tournament in Bangladesh next month.

But first it's the NatWest Trophy final against Derbyshire on Saturday - and Lloyd is looking to make his mark.

"So many players have been picked to play for England this winter that it's wide open," says the 29-year-old, who admits he knows next to nothing about Bangladesh."

Lloyd concedes that he has not had a good season, although coach Dav Whatmore is keen to stress that he has worked hard to be more consistent and it has paid off in recent weeks with important runs against Glamorgan and Yorkshire, and a typical whirlwind century at Durham.

"I've never felt out of nick, but as a batsman you should be getting five centuries a season, and that was my first," he added. "Hopefully there is still time for a couple more." Ideally at Lord's. Lloyd has played in five previous finals there going back to a controversial debut in 1991 when he was a last minute replacement for David Hughes in the Benson and Hedges Cup defeat by Worcestershire.

"I haven't scored many runs at Lord's, but I haven't really had many chances," he reflects.

"A lot of the time we have already got the runs on the board and a big score has never been needed from me - my top score is 20-odd."

Lancashire won the toss and Derbyshire were 61-2 from 15 overs, Peter Martin claiming both wickets.

Yesterday's inactivity suited Surrey more than their rivals who began the day 23 points adrift of Surrey.

Leicestershire had the better of a truncated first day at Warwickshire when they reduced Leicestershire to 190 for six. Fourth-placed Gloucestershire hold the slight advantage after the first day against Northamptonshire at Bristol. At the close the home side held a lead of 27 with five first-innings wickets intact.

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