Lancashire suffer Blackpool wash out

Lancashire suffered a total wash out against Surrey

Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson has hailed the performances of England hopeful Sajid Mahmood during a difficult season for the Red Rose county after their game against Surrey at Blackpool was washed out.

All four days of the LV County Championship Division One battle were rained off and both sides take home four points each.

Surrey are still rock bottom and Lancashire have been plunged into a relegation battle after five games without a win. They have taken just seven points from the last two games.

Watkinson however preferred to focus on the form of the 26-year-old pace bowler despite him being ruled out of action for three to four weeks with a left intercostal strain.

Mahmood, who has played eight Tests, 25 one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals for England, picked up the injury during the recent LV County Championship defeat against Kent at Canterbury.

“We are probably looking at three to four weeks as minimum but Saj has always recovered quite quickly in the past,” said Watkinson.

“We won’t rule him out completely for the season but I suppose it is looking a possibility now that the rest of the season might be needed for a recovery.”

Mahmood has taken 35 championship wickets this season at an average of 32.77.

And his impressive form has prompted many to discuss the possibility of an England return. He played for the England Lions against South Africa in a one-day friendly only a fortnight ago.

“He’s done really well,” continued Watkinson. “He has matured in every way with his general contribution to the team. He has been excellent and he will be a loss until the end of the season.

“He has a burning ambition to get back in that England set-up. He has had a focus which has been on Lancashire cricket and doing well. The obvious spin-off from that is international recognition.

“He has certainly done enough to catch people’s eye. He has done excellently as far as we are concerned."