SAJID Mahmood will not surrender his Test place easily when England's crocked bowling attack return to fitness.

The Lancashire quickie has kept his place in the squad for this week's third Test against Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge after impressing on his debut at Lord's and in last week's victory at Edgbaston.

But the 24-year-old knows competition for places will hot up when Simon Jones, Lancashire team-mate Jimmy Anderson and Durham's Steve Harmison, who has been left out of the squad to gain more match fitness, all recover from their injuries.

But having had a taste of the big-time, Mahmood is in no mood to give up his place in the Test side.

"I am giving 110 per cent and working harder at my game than I have ever worked before," said Bolton-born Mahmood, who took seven wickets in the two Tests.

"All I can do is try my best. So far I don't think I have put in a bad performance, and I have to keep doing that and not give the selectors an excuse for leaving me out."

After a huge workload in the second innings at Lord's in which he bowled 35 overs as Sri Lanka fought back, he was only given 18 overs by skipper Andrew Flintoff in the whole of the second Test.

Meteoric

"I think I was under-bowled," said Mahmood, who finished with match figures of 2-44.

"I would have loved to have bowled a bit more, but other bowlers did the job for us and that's what matters. I have no complaints."

It has been a meteoric rise for the 6ft 4ins youngster. He spent nine years at Bolton League club Astley Bridge, where his 18-year-old brother Rakeb still plays and is hoping for a call-up to the Lancashire Under-19 squad this season.

He then moved to Egerton for a season before making his Red Rose debut four years ago.

Mahmood had a shock one-day call up in 2004, but suffered at the hands of New Zealand going for 56 from his seven overs.

He made only six Championship appearances for Lancs last season and last August was still playing second XI cricket.

But he played well on the England A tour to the West Indies, earning him a call-up to the senior one-day side in India.

And his form there convinced the selectors he was ready for Test cricket. And he admits he still has to pinch himself that it has happened so quickly.

Apprehensive

He said: "I was apprehensive when I played at Lord's. Afterwards, I was sat at home still wondering whether I had actually played in the game!

"But at Edgbaston, I treated it just like any other cricket match.

"I am living a dream at the moment, and I am enjoying every bit of it. Cricket is my life at the moment and I am working hard to make sure I give everything.

"I am trying to get my wrist position a bit more upright with England coach Kevin Shine, and I am working on my batting because I know at international level you have to bat and bowl."

With a day off after England's early finish, Mahmood returned to a rain-hit Old Trafford yesterday to receive treatment on some minor niggles.

He left before the weather ruined Lancashire's chances of bouncing back from their C&G Trophy defeat at Yorkshire as their game with Nottinghamshire was abandoned.

At one point, Notts were 46-5, with Tom Smith and Kyle Hogg both taking two wickets, before 90 minutes were lost to rain. And although the visitors came back on to finish on 61-5 from their 19 overs, another heavy downpour meant the game was called off with Lancs on 15-0.

With Lancs desperate for the win, Smith, Simon Marshall and Gareth Cross tried in vain to mop up the water.

"It is definitely a point lost rather than a point gained," said skipper Mark Chilton, whose side still top the table.

Do you think Mahmood will become a Test regular? Have your say.

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