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Lancashire coach Dav Whatmore today backed John Crawley to escape from the worst spell of his career.

The Old Trafford captain has nosedived from the top of the English batting charts, which he headed last year, to rock bottom with just 45 runs in six championship innings at an average of 7.5.

Nothing is going right for him at a time when Lancashire, missing Mike Atherton, Neil Fairbrother and Andy Flintoff, need him at his best.

``He will be back,'' said Whatmore. ``Nothing has changed in his technique, he is still a high quality player who has had a mixture of bad luck and some unplayable deliveries.

``It's all about confidence. We are lacking in that simply because we can't score runs, and the longer it goes on, the worse it gets. But all credit to Notts. They bowled well.''

Crawley hit his peak at the Oval last August by celebrating his Test recall with a majestic century against the spin wizardry of Muttiah Muralitharan.

But he lost his place on the Ashes tour, and has made a dreadful start to this season.

Graham Lloyd, the other experienced player in Lancashire's weakened top order, is also suffering with 70 runs in six knocks and, like Crawley, got a duck as they stumbled into trouble against Notts.

Sixteen wickets crashed on the first day of the championship match, forcing the umpires to report the pitch to Lord's. But it is unlikely that further action will be taken.

Lancashire, were bowled out for 141 after resuming at 96-6 today in reply to Notts' 181.