COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Old Trafford:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Warwickshire 148, Lancashire 353-8 (Lancs 7pts, Warwicks 2 pts)
23-26 September

Laxman had to bat for most of the day with opener Paul Horton as his runner

Lancashire sealed Division One safety on a day when V V S Laxman hit his fourth Championship century of 2009 to dominate Warwickshire at Old Trafford.

The 34-year-old Indian Test veteran hit 113 out of Lancashire's 353-8, in reply to Warwickshire's first innings 148.

Laxman shared a fifth-wicket stand of 154 with all-rounder Steven Croft, whose 79 off 146 balls was his highest four-day score of the summer.

Seven breaks for bad light ensured that 28 overs were lost in the day.

And, embarrassingly for Lancashire, just as on the first evening, the last of them was because the sun was shining off the Media Centre roof at the Stretford End.

Warwickshire did not take a wicket until the 50th over of the day, Croft chopping on to former Lancashire second team seamer Andrew Miller, who finished with 3-67.

But, to enhance the quality of Laxman's knock, he was forced to bat for the majority of the day with opener Paul Horton as his runner after sustaining a back twinge while on 61.

Newly-relegated Sussex being bowled out for 243 at Trent Bridge was the moment when Lancashire's safety was officially sealed.

But, having gone into this game knowing that they needed seven bonus points to stay up, Lancashire can at least be comforted that they reached that pre-match target by effectively achieving safety under their own steam.

And, with a lead of 205, they now have a great chance to end the season with a morale-boosting win - and their first in a Championship game at Old Trafford against a team other than relegated bottom side Worcestershire.

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