Friends Provident T20: Lancashire qualify for quarter-finals after 7 run victory over Worcestershire
Lancashire’s nerve-racking seven run win over Worcestershire at New Road took them into the quarter-finals of the Friends Provident T20 Cup. Steven Croft’s 88 runs innings from 52 balls, well supported by the disciplined bowling, bagged http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lancashire-c806 a close seven-run victory.
Lancashire amassed its highest total of the tournament, 198 for 6, with a major contribution from Croft (88 from 52) along with Tom Smith’s 40 runs of just 25 balls. Even Moeen Ali’s whirlwind 72 off 39 balls could not help Worcestershire overcome the target, as he lacked support from the other end.
Vikram Solanki, the Worcestershire skipper, decided to field first after winning the toss. Though Lancashire lost its first wicket quite early with 29 runs on the board, a second wicket partnership of more than 80 runs put the side on a competitive total track. Opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Stephen-Moore-c2572 was bowled by Imran Arif in the fourth over of the innings. Moore’s 12-minutes stand at the crease added 10 runs to the scorecard from seven balls. His 10 runs limited innings also contained two boundaries.
Moore’s dismissal brought http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tom-Smith-c2704, the duo hammered sweetly-timed shots across the ground, taking Lancashire towards a formidable score. Both the partners grabbed 80 runs off the next six overs, taking the run-rate to 13 per over. Shaaiq Choudhry earned his side a breakthrough in the 10th over when he bowled Smith. He scored 40 runs off 25 balls, including eight boundaries.
Captain of the Lancashire side, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Cox-c51633. His almost an hour-long stay at the crease entertained the audience with ten boundaries and four sixes.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Cameron-c65525, leaving Lancashire 198 for 6 on the board. He scored 23 runs from 12 balls.
Shantry took 2 wickets, conceding 38 runs in his 4 overs spell, while Shaaiq Choudhry was the most economical, conceding 27 runs in 4 overs.
Though Worcestershire lost their first wicket in the first over of the innings, when Jack Manuel was bowled by Croft, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Moeen-Ali-c1990’s blistering counter-attack stretched the Lancashire’s attack to the limit. Moeen, keeping the strike for the major portion, scored 66 runs for the second wicket partnership with the captain Solanki. The skipper departed in the 8th over after scoring 12 runs from 16 balls including a four as well.
Alexei Kervezee came at No. 4, and added 15 runs to the scorecard from 12 balls. His 12-minute stay also contained a six. On a beautiful delivery from Gary Keedy, Kervezee was caught by Croft, leaving Worcestershire 104 for 3 on the board. Moeen Ali was the next man to lose the wicket. At 72, he nicked Keedy to Moore, leaving the Worcestershire side tumbling at 111 for 4.
Worcestershire needed 23 runs from the last two overs when http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Worcestershire-c866 were still 7 runs behind the target with three wickets in hands.
Steven Croft was declared man of the match for his brilliant 88 runs and 1 wicket for the Lancashire side. In the quarterfinal, Lancashire will face http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Essex-c783 at Chelmsford on July 27.
Tags: