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Big-Match players need a big-match stage, they say.

And the Old Trafford floodlights, which attracted a crowd of 8,003 for Saturday's CGU National League game against Essex Eagles, certainly brought the best out of Lancashire's World Cup trio.

Ian Austin and Neil Fairbrother, in particular, have had a terrible time since the bitter disappointment of England's early exit at Edgbaston.

Austin had only managed four wickets in all competitions and Fairbrother hadn't scored a half century in nine innings.

But on Saturday Austin was back to his one-day best, earning figures of 4-15 as the Eagles crash-landed to 168 all out.

And Fairbrother steered Lightning to victory with an efficient unbeaten 50 before Lancashire's third World Cup player, Andy Flintoff, provided some fireworks for the crowd.

Flintoff smashed young Essex seamer Ricky Anderson for three fours and a six in four balls to complete a 43-ball half century and Lightning's first National League double - following his whirlwind 143 when the teams met at Chelmsford in May. Lightning and Worcestershire Royals, who beat Hampshire Hawks yesterday, are still in the slipstream of runaway leaders Yorkshire Phoenix, who thrashed Leicestershire Foxes last Wednesday and remain six points clear of Lancashire.

But as Flintoff said: ``We've got to play Yorkshire at home and away under lights in August, so we're still in touch.''

It was another disappointing night for former Lancashire all-rounder Ronnie Irani, who again captained Essex in the absence of Nasser Hussain and did his best with a battling 64.

But he still enjoyed the experience and gave a big vote of confidence to floodlit cricket at Old Trafford.

Chief executive Jim Cumbes was happy with the crowd, double the gate for Lancashire's only previous home National League game this season against Worcestershire on a Sunday afternoon in May.

He wants to see a separate floodlit competition set up for next year - but first the Lightning have three more National League games under lights this season, starting with the visit of Warwickshire Bears on July 19.