IAN AUSTIN and Graham Lloyd were team mates for the Dog and Partridge FC in Accrington last winter.

There is a growing body of opinion, both inside and outside Lancashire, that they should have been in Pakistan playing for England in the World Cup.

And that could see them lining up alongside Mike Atherton against Wasim Akram when the second Texaco Trophy series of the summer starts at Old Trafford on August 29.

Austin, with his infamous chunky figure, and Lloyd, whose batting technique is a long way from textbook, are hardly the traditional idea of international cricketers.

And neither would claim to be a Test Match player.

But who else could have come in with his side in trouble at 52-3 after 20 overs, as Lancashire were against Yorkshire in the NatWest semi-final yesterday, and play as Lloyd did in hitting 81 from 90 balls?

And who would you rather have to bowl at a crucial stage of a big Cup game with Australian batting sensation Michael Bevan in full flow, than the ever-reliable Austin? He had not bowled one of his better opening spells, but returned to grab three wickets in two overs, including the all-important scalp of Bevan caught on the boundary by ice cool Glen Chapple for a brilliant 81.

Craig White flicked Austin's next ball to mid-wicket only for Gary Yates to take a catch which stirred memories of Jack Bond's legendary effort to take Asif Iqbal in the 1971 Gillette Cup final, and Lancashire were on the way to a second Lord's date this season.

Austin ended with 3-47 in his 12 overs - his first wicket was Anthony McGrath, bowled after a fourth wicket stand of 80 with Bevan - and the man of the match award from former England paceman John Lever.

So long an unsung hero of Lancashire's one-day success, with only one individual award from a Benson and Hedges tie against the Minor Counties at Leek, Austin is at last getting the recognition he deserves - this award followed his Gold Award in the B&H final last month.

But he reckoned Lever got it wrong. "I was surprised to get it," said the down-to-earth 30-year-old. "Lloydy deserved it today. He has played magnificently for us all season and produced a great innings when it mattered."

Lloyd came in after Lancashire had lost two crucial wickets in three balls, Mike Atherton caught behind off left arm spinner Richard Stemp then Neil Fairbrother hitting his second ball straight down McGrath's throat at deep mid-wicket.

They couldn't afford to lose another one with two thirds of the innings still to go on a pitch where they needed a total around 300. But that didn't faze Lloyd, who almost immediately launched into two outrageous reverse sweeps off Stemp and drove the Yorkshire fielders to distraction.

"He is such a talented bloke and so difficult to bowl at," enthused skipper Mike Watkinson. Some of the shots he plays are unbelievable and that makes him almost impossible to contain.

"His success for us this season has nothing to do with his father leaving us for England. He's just matured a little bit in his cricket and in other areas, he's got things worked out a little bit better."

Lloyd was given superb support by John Crawley, who also chose a good time for his first NatWest half century in a stand of 145 in 27 overs.

They laid the platform for Watkinson (35 in 28 balls) and Warren Hegg (35 in 38) to take Lancashire to a 293-9 total.

It was a good total, but with Bevan continuing his amazing record against Lancashire it might not have been good enough. Fortunately, Lancashire had another pub footballer to turn to.

Todmorden play hosts to another Roses battle next week when Yorkshire under 19s take on Lancashire under 19s. Admission to the two-day game at Centre Vale, which starts on Monday, is free. Wickets are pitched at 11am.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.