IF any one player knows how to handle the pressure of tomorrow's title decider against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl, it has to be Iain Sutcliffe.

The gritty, left-handed opener was successful in 1998 with his previous county Leicestershire and is the only member of the Old Trafford dressing room to have played in a full winning campaign.

Now he and his Lancashire team-mates stand just one match away from winning the title outright in season blighted by the weather.

"Having a chance of winning the title was the reason I joined this club," Sutcliffe said.

"We have had such an exciting pool of players, both young and experienced for a good number of years now and it is great to be challenging for honours season in season out."

Sutcliffe moved from Grace Road in 2003, five years on from the title year, after deciding it was time for a change.

"I was also at the club when they won it a few years before in 1996 but didn't play," he added.

"In 1998 we went into our last game against Surrey, who were second at the time, needing a good draw to secure the title.

"We ended up going to the Oval and winning. It was a fantastic performance and winning a championship is a fabulous feeling."

Although he will be the first to admit that he hasn't been one of the leading lights in Lancashire's season, the 31 year-old has played his part at the top of the order.

In fact, this year is similar to that title-winning season at Leicester when his average was in the mid-30 opening the innings.

"I have said previously that it would mean a lot more to win it with Lancashire. I dont want to detract from that Leicester year, but Lancashire are such a big club with a great tradition to boot," he said.

Success

"It is 72 years since this club tasted success of this sort and that needs to be rectified as soon as possible.

"The club are so well-supported and we have this magnificent bond in the dressing room that is unlike anywhere else."

If the Red Rose county can make light of the eight-point gap that separates them from leaders Sussex, one game will surely be regarded as the turning point. And that is where Sutcliffe's contribution has been vital.

His unbeaten 139 at Trent Bridge guided his side to an unlikey victory against Nottinghamshire after a first-innings lead of 197 had been conceded.

"We are all going to go down to Southampton this week excited by the prospect of success. But first and foremost we will be focused on doing the job that we have to do," Sutcliffe added.

"It is not an ideal situation having eight points to make up as we would like to be the masters of our own destiny but I am still fully confident we can win it."

Although Sussex will be champions if they beat Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, Sutcliffe is adamant that Lancashire need to look after their own house before concentrating on anybody else.

"Hampshire is a tough place to go, everybody knows that. Shane Warne will have his side up for it at the Rose Bowl to make sure they claim second place," he said.

"We will check what Sussex have done at the end of the day, but still we are the most important factor in our own equation."

But if you are in a scrap, then the Leeds-born Oxford University boxing blue is the ideal man to have on your side.

A couple of seasons ago a Liam Plunkett bouncer shattered his cheekbone, yet stayed on his feet.

Recently he was hit on the arm by a Darren Lehmann sweep, and when he went for an X-ray was told he had been playing with a broken elbow for the best part of three years.

Apart from a championship medal, Sutlciffe is also fighting for a new contract.

"We will talk at the end of the season," he said. "But I am sure things will work out and I will be here for many years to come."

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