JOHN CRAWLEY fired a double message to Lancashire and England with a brilliant double century which should keep them in the First Division of the Championship.

Crawley, who admitted he was at his lowest ebb as Lancashire skipper after Monday's C&G Trophy defeat at Leicester, led from the front in the crucial relegation showdown against Northants at Old Trafford, resuming today on 208 out of 444 for three - a timely innings on the eve of the Headingley Test, with England's squad for India to be selected soon.

But afterwards he had strong words for his critics - and also the Red Rose committee.

Crawley had been widely criticised for his decision to bat first in the C&G semi, and said: "I don't mind that, because it's a game of opinions. The only thing that riles me is the fact that we've got people on the committee who work in the media and are supposed to support the club, but they didn't do that.

"I just think that at the moment, when we are all in the mire together, everyone at the club should be pulling together."

Crawley refused to name names, but that had to be seen as an attack on committee man Paul Allott, who had joined his former team-mates David Lloyd and Graeme Fowler on Sky TV in criticising the decision to bat first at Leicester.

Coach Bob Simpson echoed his captain, saying: "John has had some unfair treatment from the media, and that's why he has shown not only what a fine player he is, but also his strength of character, to have come through the tough times of this season and played such a good innings."

Crawley also refused to get carried away by the euphoria of his fourth double century for Lancashire and his fifth in all, stressing the danger for the club if Mike Atherton and Neil Fairbrother retire at the end of the season.

"I certainly feel better as a batter but there are certain fundamental things in the way the team is dealt with, and the captain and the coach in particular, which I think need to be addressed," he added.

"The next few weeks will be very important. We've got to avoid relegation, that's the main thing, but we also need to strengthen the side batting wise, especially if the two oldies decide to call it a day."

It was a clear message from Crawley that if he is to stay on as captain, things need to change.

He also had praise for Joe Scuderi, who cruised past his best score in two years with Lancashire and towards a century of his own.

But this was emphatically Crawley's day, as he ended a run of 19 runs in four Championship innings to reach a chanceless 200 in 316 balls with 30 fours.