CARL Hooper played a starring role in his first match back from injury to lead Lancashire to a crucial Twenty20 victory over Durham.

The West Indian all-rounder, who has been out for over three weeks, took 2-13 and made 49 not out as Lancashire cruised to their target of 112 with 10 balls to spare at Chester-le-Street.

Hooper twice cleared the ropes with huge sixes and looked as though he had never been away, dancing down the pitch to the spinners and constantly guiding the seamers down to third man.

Coach Mike Watkinson praised his performance: "He's a super finisher. In one-day cricket particularly you,re looking for someone who can finish an innings."

He and Stuart Law put on an important stand of 65 for the third wicket after Lancashire had lost two wickets in the first two overs of the chase, suggesting that Durham would make a game of it.

Another fine display by the Red Rose spinners, however, set up the win. Gary Keedy, Hooper and Schofield bowled 10 overs between them for 34 runs, and took five wickets.

The Durham batsmen just couldn,t find the boundary, hitting just four fours and a six in their 20 overs and not finding the ropes once after the sixth over. Lancashire were also very sharp in the field, Hegg,s direct hit to run out Gordon Muchall the highlight.

If Lancashire can beat Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire next week they will progress to the quarterfinals. Andrew Flintoff will return for the Headingley clash and Jimmy Anderson is back for Sunday's National League game with Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.