Cricket: Lancs' Byas blow.

Byline: SIMON WILSON

LANCASHIRE coasted into the fourth round of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy yesterday - but they paid a heavy price for their 10-wicket win over Derbyshire.

David Byas, hero of their Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final triumph on Wednesday, broke a finger in his left hand and is out of the semi against Warwickshire at Old Trafford on June 7.

And the ex-Yorkshire captain is doubtful to make the Lord's final on June 22 if Lancashire get through.

Only consolation for Lancashire is that Neil Fairbrother is on the verge of breaking back into the side after missing the first month of the season with a blood clot.

Fairbrother failed a late fitness test before yesterday's game but is fighting to get into the frame for the National League clash with Middlesex tomorrow.

Byas was only five when he pulled the glove off and called for the physio. A Lancashire spokesman said: ``We will wait for the specialist's report but he could be out for a month and even longer if he needs an operation.''

Mark Chilton and pinch-hitter Glen Chapple quickly made up for Byas' loss, punishing some loose Derbyshire seam bowling in an unbroken stand of 141 steering Lancashire to their target of 164 with overs left.

They were contrasting innings, Chilton elegantly piercing the off-side with super-smooth drives and Chapple full of invention and riding his luck, particularly when sub fielder Liam Wharton dropped him at mid-off.

Chapple finished it off after only 28 overs with an inside edge for four which gave him an unbeaten 81, a career best in one-day cricket and Chilton followed up his B&H century against Notts three weeks ago with 76 no and the man of the match award.

CAPTION(S):

NO BYAS: Lancashire's David Byas broke his finger during yesterday's C&G Trophy win over Derbyshire