DINESH Mongia struck his first century for Lancashire - but a late collapse left their Championship match against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham evenly poised after the opening day.

James Franklin launched the Gloucestershire fightback with a superb spell of swing bowling. The New Zealand left-arm seamer, who played in the Trent Bridge Test, finished the day with five for 58.

Franklin's late burst reduced Lancashire from 333-4 to 362-8 at the close. He claimed Jamie Haynes in his first over with the second new ball, before bowling Glen Chapple and Dominic Cork with successive inswingers in his next over.

Before this late clatter of wickets, Mongia had been leading Lancashire to a commanding position. He survived the hat-trick ball from Franklin.

But Sajid Mahmood could not build up a score and was also bowled by the Kiwi, who took 4-2 in 16 balls.

It was only Mongia's third Championship innings for Lancashire and he built on a solid start given to the innings by Mark Chilton, who hit 69. Mal Loye looked set for a century before he was dismissed by Martyn Ball for 90.

But it has been quite a summer for Franklin. He originally signed up to play league cricket in the North-west for Lancashire club side Rishton so he could be called up by the New Zealand Test squad in case of any injuries, but found himself in the national side for the final game of the series.

He performed so well, taking six wickets, that he was included in the one-day squad and Gloucestershire have since snapped him up.

And although Franklin has signed up for three weeks, he may get a longer stint with Gloucestershire.

Shabbir Ahmed is due to leave again before the end of the season, so it could be a while before Rishton see any more of their overseas star.

GLOUCS v LANCASHIRE

at Cheltenham

Lancashire

Chilton c Adshead b J Franklin...69

Sutcliffe run out...10

Loye c Weston b Ball...90

Mongia not out...111

Hooper c Franklin b Fisher...19

Haynes c Hussey b Franklin...24

Chapple b Franklin...0

Cork b Franklin...0

Mahmood b Franklin...0

Martin not out...8

Extras...31

Total (for 8)...362

Bowling: Lewis 21.0-3-55-0; Franklin 19.0-5-58-5; Averis 14.0-1-62-0; Gidman 7.0-1-27-0; Ball 25.0-3-70-1; Fisher 19.0-1-78-1.