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Ian Austin hopes to put a miserable month behind him as Lancashire launch their defence of the NatWest Trophy in Hertfordshire tomorrow.

Austin, the man of the match in last year's Lord's demolition of Derbyshire, was left as a helpless observer as England crashed out of the World Cup at Edgbaston.

Then he was left out of Lancashire's game against Surrey at the Oval last week and found himself playing in a second team match against Warwickshire in Stratford-on-Avon.

But typically, Austin had no complaints.

``I was very disappointed not to be picked but I understood the reasons why,'' he said.

``It was my decision to play for the seconds. I would much rather do that than spend four days sitting around at the Oval. I needed to play some cricket.''

Austin remains an automatic selection in Lancashire's one-day team, and this week he will be a key figure again as they aim to reach Lord's on two fronts.

After tomorrow's game against Hertfordshire in Radlett, on Friday Lancashire face Sussex at Old Trafford in the first round of the Benson & Hedges Super Cup - a new competition for the top eight in last year's Championship, meaning that Lancashire are only two wins from Lord's. Both competitions will be 50 overs per side.

Meanwhile Mike Smethurst moved to the front of the queue of young bowlers hoping for a first team chance by taking six wickets for the second team against Leicestershire at Old Trafford yesterday.

They were the best figures Smethurst has recorded since joining Lancashire at the tart of the season as Leicestershire were skittled out for 95.

``There wasn't that much in the pitch and it wasn't the best I've bowled for Lancashire,'' said Smethurst.

``It was just one of those days when everything went right.''

Spinners Gary Keedy and Chris Schofield, both included in the Lancashire team, didn't even get a bowl as Smethurst, Paul Ridgway and Richard Green shared the wickets.