Crawley finds top form in relegation battle

John Crawley hit the fifth double century of his career as Lancashire made Northants suffer on the first day at Old Trafford.

Crawley ended unbeaten on 208 from 326 balls with 32 boundaries out of a total of 444 for three after he had won the toss and chosen to bat.

The Lancashire captain had only managed 19 runs from his last four Championship innings, but showed his class in a chanceless innings which exposed the innocuous Northants bowling attack.

Crawley had played a supporting role in partnerships of 85 with Mark Chilton, who made 46 before edging Tony Penberthy, and 76 with Andy Flintoff, whose 38 included a six over mid-wicket until Jason Brown bowled him through the gate in his first over after lunch.

Neil Fairbrother then continued his consistent season with an 81-ball half-century, in the process going past 20,000 first-class runs in his career.

He was trapped lbw by Graeme Swann but there was no end to the agony for Northants on a stifling day as Joe Scuderi came in to hit an unbeaten 89, his best score since joining Lancashire from South Australia last season.

Scuderi, who does not count as an overseas player because he has an Italian passport, has faced 111 balls and hit 15 fours and a six off Swann.

Northants captain David Ripley had turned to the occasional medium pace of Mike Hussey before lunch, and even gave Paul Taylor an over of left-arm spin - in which Crawley reached his 150 by clipping a full toss effortlessly for four.

Lancashire have already made their highest total of the season and are well-placed to beat their record total against Northants of 528 for four at Old Trafford in 1928, with Crawley on course to beat Frank Watson's individual record of 223 in the same game.

But he and his team will be more concerned about ending a run of four defeats in five matches, and claiming a first win in seven which would ease Lancashire's relegation fears.