ANDREW Crook is facing the most important season of his career.

The 25-year-old has been on the fringe of the Lancashire squad since joining the county two years ago.

Despite holding the record for the highest score made by a Lancashire player in a one-day game with an unbeaten 162 against Buckinghamshire in the C&G Trophy last season, Crook has failed to secure a regular place in the Championship side.

He made just one appearance last season, against Essex where he scored 43 and took 3-71 in a rain-affected match.

And although the all-rounder, who was born in Australia but has a British passport, was left out of the squad for the opening game of this season's Championship campaign against Hampshire Crook is confident he can force his way into Mike Watkinson's thinking.

Chance

"I always think I have a chance and it all depends on my form, really. If I am scoring runs then I have got a chance," said Crook, who started his first-class cricketing career with South Australia before moving to England.

"Every year is important, but this year is even more so if I want to cement my place in the side.

"I just have to keep on working hard and make sure I do the right things."

It was with South Australia as an 18-year-old that Crook faced England on their Ashes tour. He claimed the wicket of Nasser Hussain, but made just one with the bat after being trapped lbw by Dominic Cork.

But it was six years before Crook, who also bowls off-spin, started his career in England and the move came about after he lined-up alongside Lancashire skipper Mark Chilton for Australian club side East Torrens.

Chilton helped set Crook and his younger brother Steve up with league clubs and after impressing at Great Harwood in Blackburn, Lancs gave Andrew and his brother a chance.

Solid

Steve left Old Trafford during the winter to join Northants, but Andrew has shown already in pre-season that he wants to fight for a place in the side.

He made a half-century while playing against his Lancashire team-mates during the tour of St Kitts, then came close to guiding the county to victory with a solid batting display in last week's friendly with Yorkshire at Old Trafford.

"I missed three games in St Kitt's because I was ill, but I was quite happy with the way I batted in the games I did play," said Crook.

"I have been trying to adapt to a different role than I have been used to in the past by playing at No. 5 and it is starting to come along nicely."

Crook is one of several young players trying to force their way into the Lancashire side this season, with Oliver Newby, Tom Smith, Karl Brown, Kyle Hogg, Paul Horton, Simon Marshall, Steven Croft and Gareth Cross all knocking on coach Watkinson's door.

He said: "We are all good mates, so it is not nasty competition. It is healthy because if you have got good competition for places it is going to make you work hard and you have to be on top of your game."

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