JAMES ANDERSON produced a devastating eight-wicket burst for Lancashire's second team in Crosby yesterday to upstage the return of Neil Fairbrother.

Anderson took eight for 21 in 11.3 overs on the first day of the game against Northants, with six of his victims clean bowled and the other two caught behind.

Fairbrother was delighted to take a back seat as he eased back to first team action from the blood clot which gave him and Lancashire such a scare during the winter.

Making his first appearance of the season, and playing in the seconds for the first time in almost two decades, the 38-year-old resumed today on 18 not out as Lancashire replied to Northants' 193 all out.

Cricket manager Mike Watkinson travelled to Crosby but poured cold water on suggestions that Fairbrother could return to the first team in time for next Wednesday's Benson and Hedges Cup quarter final at Leicester, saying: "We won't rush him."

But Anderson seized the chance to stake his first-team claim. Kyle Hogg, his former England under-19 team-mate, has already made a huge impression this season and now Anderson is keen to join him. The 20-year-old from Burnley was already in Watkinson's mind after impressing on the pre-season trip to South Africa and yesterday's performance can only enhance his chances. His victims included the former Derbyshire pair of Adrian Rollins and Matthew Cassar as the Northants batsmen had no answer to his pace. Meanwhile Lancashire returned to Championship action against Sussex at Old Trafford today aiming to bounce straight back from the defeat by Surrey at the Oval.

Leg-spinner Chris Schofield was again included in a 12-man squad and was in line to make his first appearance of the season, possibly alongside Gary Keedy with Lancashire considering playing two spinners with hot weather expected later in the week.

John Wood retained his place in the 12 ahead of Mike Smethurst after taking three wickets against Surrey to follow his good form in the B&H zonal games.