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Lancashire skipper John Crawley today admitted that the Championship match against Leicestershire starting at Grace Road tomorrow is one his team cannot afford to lose.

Leicester, the 1998 champions, launched their defence by beating Essex, which means that they are well ahead of Lancashire despite playing a game less.

That is mainly because of Lancashire's dreadful luck with the weather, of course, but a loss at Leicester would leave them with too much ground to make up even at this ridiculously early stage of the season.

``It is a vital game,'' said Crawley. ``We have had very little cricket so far and this is one game we must not lose.''

Lancashire plan to play World Cup stars Ian Austin and Andy Flintoff, although Neil Fairbrother will not be included. Mike Watkinson is also out with the hamstring problem he picked up at Lord's last week.

So youngsters Mike Smethurst, Chris Schofield and Paddy McKeown could get another chance.

Leicester look even stronger this year with their skipper James Whitaker back after missing the whole of the 1998 season with a knee injury, and Aussie seamer Michael Kasprowicz taking over as their overseas player.

They crushed Essex without England duo Vince Wells and Alan Mullally in their first game, and could even afford to leave out David Millns with Chris Lewis, Kasprowicz and talented youngster James Ormond forming a powerful seam attack.

But Lancashire do have a good record at Grace Road, and will just be grateful to see the sun.