GLEN CHAPPLE and Richard Green today hit the comeback trail for Lancashire.

But instead of leading the attack in the championship game against Warwickshire at Blackpool, the injured pace pair were playing as batsmen for the second team in Middlesex.

Both Chapple and Green have had injury plagued seasons. Chapple's hopes of making the England team have been shattered by hand and stomach injuries, the latest one coming last month in the NatWest Trophy defeat at Sussex.

And for Green, who was aiming for an England A place this winter, it's been even worse as a mystery ankle injury has prevented him from bowling since the Benson and Hedges Cup qualifying games in May.

So both of them were delighted to be back in action today, with Green even hoping to bowl a few overs after coming through a fitness test in the nets at the weekend.

Their continuing absence from the first team handed another chance to Darren Shadford. The 22-year-old from Oldham has now played in seven consecutive championship matches - although he hasn't taken a wicket in the last three.

Peter Martin struck an early blow for Lancashire against Warwicketshire at Blackpool today, picking up the wicket of Dominic Ostler. After six overs Warwickshire were 11-1

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