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Ian Austin stepped up his build-up to the World Cup with a good start to Lancashire's pre-season tour in Cape Town yesterday - although skipper John Crawley might not agree.

Austin, who last week came through an England fitness test on the knee injury which troubled him last season, was named in the Western Province Academy team for Lancashire's opening three-day fixture, along with wicket keeper Jamie Haynes.

And after coming on as first change for the Academy, Austin had Crawley brilliantly caught at mid-off for five.

``There were no problems with the knee and Ian said he was happy with the way the ball was coming out,'' said Lancashire cricket secretary Dave Edmundson from South Africa today.

On a tricky green pitch, openers Paddy McKeown and Nathan Wood did well to put on 94 after Lancashire had been put in. Wood went for 26, but McKeown ended with 59 from 109 balls including seven fours, striking an early blow as he battles for a regular opening spot this season.

Mark Harvey, another batsman hoping to break into the first team, also played well for an unbeaten 34 before Crawley declared on 205-7, the home side resuming today on 40 without loss - with Haynes, who opened the batting for them, surviving Glen Chapple and Darren Shadford's new ball spell to reach five.