COUNTY cast-offs John Blain and Dewald Nel will this afternoon attempt to recreate the form which saw Lancashire unceremoniously routed on Monday.

Few bowling attacks will reduce the Red Rose County's star-studded top order to the ruins of 42-5 but that is precisely what Blain and man-of-the-match Nel achieved to set up a third straight win for the Saltires at Old Trafford.

Eyebrows may have been raised at the extent to which the Scottish pace partners embarrassed the opposition but the fact is that this pair rarely suffer by comparison with their county rivals in these Friends Provident matches.

The real surprise is that Blain and Nel are no longer playing their trade on the county scene, both having been discarded by previous employers south of the border.

Blain, harshly treated by Yorkshire, and Nel, prematurely released by Worcestershire, are entitled to feel aggrieved and both are relishing the opportunity to prove they deserve another stint on the professional circuit.

A few more performances like the ones which proved too good for the likes of Stuart Law, Andrew Flintoff and Mohammad Yousuf could just provide the passport for a return.

Certainly Blain and Nel could have chosen no bigger stage to display their undoubted skills with the new ball than Old Trafford where a sizeable Bank Holiday crowd showed their appreciation with generous acclaim for the two bowlers who did most to upset their favourites.

It wasn't only the spectators who were impressed.

Ironically David Byas, the man who as former Yorkshire coach showed Blain the exit door at Headingley, witnessed the action in his capacity as umpires' adjudicator and was magnanimous enough to acknowledge the former Penicuik paceman's contribution to a famous win.

Steve Oldham, the Tykes' bowling coach, was on the phone soon after the game with more encouraging words.

Meanwhile, Flintoff himself acknowledged that Nel had produced one of the finest ten-over spells he had witnessed for some time.

Blain has often been coy about his ambitions to head back south but his appetite for the professional game has acquired a new edge this season.

Having returned north to work for Gilmour Sports, the bowler turned his back on the second part of a deal that would have seen him captain Ferguslie in the SNCL.

Bigger things may loom.

"I haven't given up hope of playing county cricket again but I don't really think I have anything to prove to anyone except myself," said Blain.

"As long as I know I can cut it at the highest level I'm happy and, without being big-headed, I know I'm as good as a lot of county players.

"Since returning to Scotland from Yorkshire I've had problems adjusting to amateur status and experiencing what most of our guys go through trying to prepare for a big game.

"As a pro you have different pressures to deal with, mainly the physical and mental side of playing so much cricket.

"Up here there is always a danger we are under-cooked when we go in against the counties but I think I'm now learning to cope with that.

"Stewart Gilmour has been great giving me an opportunity to work outwith the game and also allowing me the time off I need which has been a big help.

"The Lancashire game was obviously very rewarding but, funnily enough, I thought I bowled faster and better the day before against Derbyshire without any reward – but that's cricket."

If Blain, at 29, remains hopeful of a return to the big-time, the chances for Nel, two years his junior, must be equally promising.

His man-of-the-match stint at Old Trafford yielded 3-26 and surely proved that Worcestershire acted hastily in letting him go after less than a season.

Now back at Greenock, Nel declared: "I never hid my disappointment about leaving Worcester and it maybe has provided an additional spur.

"You are always hoping that someone is noticing when you play well and I'm a great believer that things happen for a reason.

"When one door shuts hopefully another one opens and I'd certainly love to have another go at professional cricket."

A few Durham scalps will do that cause no harm.