Lancs look for peak fitness

9:01am Tuesday 4th December 2007

Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson led some of first team squad around the peaks and troughs of Rivington Pike yesterday for their first pre-season session - and then admitted the hard work is still to come.

The Red Rose boss said he was delighted with the fitness levels of his players, who have been in the gym since the start of October, after their two-hour trek above Horwich.

"It has been quite interesting this year. Many of the lads were training straight after the season had finished when they had no reason to," said Watkinson.

"It's really good to see. I think people realise that rather than pre-season training being a bit of a slog, it can be an opportunity for them to realise their true potential."

Ten of the squad were put through their paces by the club's strength and conditioning coach Alex Horn.The rest are either playing cricket abroad, or undertaking work placements.

"It was just a little bit of a team bonding exercise to get everybody back together," added the former Westhoughton man. "After Christmas we will get serious."

The players will also be going cycling at Manchester Velodrome and indoor rock climbing.