LANCASHIRE were rocked today as Lord's changed the rules to allow Michael Bevan to play in the NatWest Trophy semi-final.

Bevan has to leave for Australia's tour of Sri Lanka tonight, and Yorkshire were not going to risk him if there was any danger of bad weather forcing the 60 over game to spill over into a second day.

But with Old Trafford shrouded in grey cloud this morning, the Test and County Cricket Board decreed that Yorkshire could use a 12th man tomorrow.

The same applied for Essex's Australian batsman Stuart Law, who was named in their semi-final against Surrey at the Oval.

The decision went against the laws of cricket which state that a substitute fielder can only be used in case of injury and illness during the match, or exceptional circumstances which force a player to leave the field.

None of those cases would apply to Bevan if he is unable to take part in the game tomorrow. It was a major boost for Yorkshire after Bevan brought them back into the Benson & Hedges Cup semi-final against Lancashire at Old Trafford in June with a brilliant innings, although Peter Martin still snatched victory for Lancashire with two off the last ball.

Yorkshire named the same side which lost that game with Craig White aiming to bounce back from his personal nightmare as he conceded the runs which took Lancashire to victory.

They have arranged a police escort to get Bevan to a waiting helicopter at nearby playing fields at the end of the game.

Lancashire, who won the toss and batted, were at full strength with Peter Martin passing a fitness test on his back injury and Ian Austin also returning after hamstring trouble.

It was the side which beat Northants in the Benson & Hedges Cup Final although there was one change from the victory over Yorkshire in the semi. Jason Gallian, who missed that game with a broken finger, was in instead of Steve Elworthy.

Michael Atherton survived being dropped twice by Yorkshire skipper David Byas.

But the England skipper failed to take full advantage falling to Stemp for 18 after being involved in the run out of his opening partner Gallian for 19.

Neil Fairbrother fell to Stemp without scoring to leave Lancashire at 52 for three but they recovered to 107 for three after 29 overs.

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