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Lancashire today announced that Wasim Akram earned £99,505 from his benefit year.

While that compares badly with the last three Old Trafford beneficiaries - Neil Fairbrother (£206,000), Mike Watkinson (£209,000) and in 1997 Mike Atherton (£307,000) - it still comes as a timely World Cup tonic for the Pakistan captain, and shows how popular Wasim became in his decade with the club.

Last year was a difficult one for Wasim personally, with the investigations and allegations into match-fixing back in Pakistan, but he still enjoyed a successful summer as Lancashire's captain, leading the team to a one-day double of the NatWest Trophy and the AXA League, and also second place in the Championship.

After Pakistan's World Cup warm-up game against Lancashire was washed out on Wednesday, he is hoping to return to Old Trafford for a Super Six game, or even a semi-final, later in the tournament. Warren Hegg's benefit is already up and running this year, with Ian Austin confirmed as Lancashire's beneficiary for the year 2000.

Meanwhile Lancashire were back in Championship action against Northants at Old Trafford today, hoping for an improvement in the weather and their form.

Rain-ruined draws in their first two games, against Sussex and Middlesex, followed by defeat at Leicestershire have left them languishing near the bottom of the table and with a lot of ground to make up to finish in the top nine, which they need to do to qualify for the First Division next season.

Lancashire's second team have still to start their four-day championship match against Yorkshire at Middleton after a third consecutive washout yesterday.