LANCASHIRE were today reeling after one of the most embarrassing weekends in their history.

On Saturday they collapsed to 51 all out, and a third consecutive championship defeat, by Glamorgan at Liverpool.

It was their lowest total since 1977, their shortest innings in championship history, and leaves them next to bottom of the table.

Then yesterday the Axa Life League game back at Old Trafford was called off as early as half past twelve because the torrential rain of the previous few days had left the square saturated.

Glamorgan were furious, because they had been confident of beating a Lancashire team decimated by injuries and Test calls - although secretary Mike Fatkin today denied reports that they would be making an official complaint to Lord's.

"I will have to speak to our captain Matthew Maynard first because I did not travel to Lancashire, but I doubt it," said Fatkin. "It sounded like just one of those things."

Lancashire admitted groundsman Peter Marron's job had been made more difficult with his staff at Liverpool during the week but denied reports that the Old Trafford covers were also at Aigburgh. Lancashire actually moved top of the table, two points clear of Essex who were not even scheduled to have a game. But they are only too aware that the two points dropped could prove costly later in the season.

All this after their miserable championship form had continued on Saturday. Admittedly they came up against a truly world class display of blisteringly fast, swing bowling from Waqar Younis, who took career best figures of seven for 25 including a hat trick.

But as captain Neil Fairbrother admitted, that could not completely explain why Lancashire's innings lasted only 14 overs.

It was not the first time this season they have been exposed on a seaming pitch.

They slumped to 52 for nine against Nottinghamshire at Old Trafford in early May before John Crawley and Peter Martin eased the embarrassment by bringing up three figures with a dogged last wicket stand.

Then against Somerset at Taunton three weeks ago, they were bowling out for 88 in 22.1 overs before lunch on the first day and lasted only 43.3 overs in making 164 in the second innings. And unless they get their act together in the championship pretty soon - which looks unlikely with confidence at rock bottom and the injury situation showing no sign of improving - two more unwanted landmarks will loom into view. Lancashire's worst start to a championship season in the recent era came in 1979, when they drew six and lost three games before winning the tenth. This year they have now lost four and drawn three.

And finally, Lancashire have never finished bottom of the table in the 108 years since the modern championship is accepted to have started. But after failing to take a single point from Liverpool, they are now 17th out of 18 - and Northants, the only county below them, have a game in hand.

Tomorrow they face Berkshire at Old Trafford in the first round of the NatWest Trophy - weather permitting.

But Mike Watkinson and Jason Gallian are definitely out, Wasim Akram seems certain to join them after his shoulder injry again prevented him from batting in the nets yesterday, and Neil Fairbrother is also doubtful with a thigh strain.

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