LANCASHIRE cricket manager Mike Watkinson was full of praise for Tom Smith after he starred for the second week running in the C&G Trophy.

The 20-year-old seam bowler followed up his haul of three for eight against Leicestershire with three more wickets at a cost of 17 to help condemn Worcestershire to a 119-run defeat at New Road.

Set 249 for victory, they were bowled out for 129 inside 43 overs.

There are high hopes for Smith, who has also impressed in the championship during his embryonic career.

On the evidence of the over in which he dismissed Steven Davies, Gareth Batty and Roger Sillence, he is well equipped to deliver.

"He's a young player who is new on the scene," Watkinson said. "He's had a good start to the season.

"Tom's a young lad who is doing well and people like to follow the progress of players like that.

"He's got the right attitude for someone who has just come into the side, and he has taken to it very well.

Preparation

"He's worked very hard during the winter - he has worked on his fitness and his preparation - and I hope he carries on the way he's started.

"He's not somebody who is going to bowl at 90 miles an over or smack the ball out of the park. He's just a pretty efficient bowler who puts the ball in the right place."

The performance of Smith, Kyle Hogg - whose new-ball spell yielded one for 18 - and Sajid Mahmood - two for 17 - underlined the depth of the Lancashire seam-bowling department.

Andrew Flintoff, Jimmy Anderson and Dominic Cork sat out this match, but their absence was hardly noticed.

"We've got a little bit of depth in there," said Watkinson.

"They are young guys who have got a lot of ability, and they'll get plenty of opportunities this season if we have guys missing."

Watkinson also took pleasure from the manner in which his side compiled their total of 248 for five, of which Mal Loye (64) and Stuart Law (70 not out) were the main contributors.

"It's very easy in early season to get ahead of yourself in games, and try to score too quickly early on," said Watkinson.

"You can lose wickets and fall short of what is a reasonable total, but in the first two games this season we haven't done that.

"We batted sensibly and kept wickets in hand, which is what we wanted to do."

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