NEIL FAIRBROTHER has put his World Cup disappointment behind him.

Fairbrother struggled for form and fitness in England's disastrous campaign in India and Pakistan, eventually returning home after suffering yet another hamstring injury in the defeat by Pakistan in Karachi.

But even though at 32, his England career may be over, Fairbrother is determined to enjoy his cricket with Lancashire after two poor seasons since giving up the captaincy. Yesterday he followed Monday's brilliant 85 in the Championship defeat by Kent with an unbeaten 77 steering Lancashire to an eight wicket win at Leicestershire - and a place in the Benson and Hedges Cup quarter finals.

It wasn't enough to win his eighth Gold Award - that went to Nick Speak, his first, who shared an unbroken third wicket stand of 169 with Fairbrother after Lancashire had slumped to eight for two.

But Fairbrother was still smiling.

"I'm determined to be positive in every innings I play for Lancashire this season," he enthused. "I want to score loads of runs in every competition, which maybe hasn't been the case for a couple of years. I'm going to enjoy my county cricket.

"Against Kent I went out and hit the ball from the start but it wasn't so easy against Leicester because we were eight for two." Speak, who ended with 79, three runs short of his B&H best, added: "When Neil came in we decided to see off Millns and Mullally, their opening bowlers, and the runs came from then on. It was great to have a good stand with Harvey again. I've missed out on a lot of one day cricket in the last 12 months but I've always enjoyed batting with Harv."

Speak is certain to play in tomorrow's Championship clash with Leicestershire at Grace Road, although the injured John Crawley is determined to return with time running out before England choose their squad for the Texaco Trophy.

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