Match report: Northants v Lancs in totesport League 2004 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Northamptonshire v Lancashire

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Summary

Although Lancashire won the toss on a beautiful spring day, skipper Warren Hegg, wasted no time in asking the Steelbacks to bat first. The appearance of the pitch suggested the bowlers would gain some early assistance, while the batsmen might struggle. With the score on 10 for 1 after 7 overs, and opener Powell still without a run, this prematch assessment was coming to fruition.

 

Lancashire's four pronged pace attack continued to reek havoc during the first 25 overs. The home side were unable to sustain an average of 3 runs per over while losing 6 upper order batsmen (71 for 6). Sajjid Mahmood continued to impress from where he left off at Hove. He was extremely lively, and never allowed the batsmen to settle. It was also particularly pleasing to note that Sajjid did not bowl any no-balls - a major problem last season.

 

As the wicket eased (as expected), the batsmen slowly gained in confidence. Hegg eventually introduced Mark Chilton into the bowling attack in the 33rd over, and Carl Hooper from the Abington Avenue end one over later. Gerald Brophy seized the opportunity to increase the tempo adding 30 for the 7th wicket with Louw, and 26 for the 8th wicket with Phillips. Brophy reached his 50 from 79 balls including 3 boundaries. The hosts innings closed on 161 for 9, with Chilton finishing with 3 for 27. Enter Mal Loye, who scored 104 not out on the last day of the 2003 season at the County Ground to ensure Lancashire won the division 2 title. His innings of 70 runs from just 53 balls (14 x 4) was a combination of utter power and total disdain. Truthfully, Loye chanced his arm throughout his innings - regularly playing and missing. On another day, he might have failed to trouble the scorers. Sutcliffe was more than happy to take a back seat. At one stage during the 14th over, Loye was 60 not out, while Sutcliffe found himself on just 10.

 

Loye's dismissal in the 17th over (93 for 1) signalled a sterile finale to the match. Lancashire required a further 24 overs to accumulate just 69 runs, in which time they contrived to lose 4 more wickets - who knows, net run rate might play a key part by the end of the season? Law and Hooper both experienced rare failures, while Alec Swann's nightmare season reached new depths after being bowled for nought by his brother. Swann's 2 innings at Northampton this season lasted just 5 balls and returned no runs - I am sure he will come good again soon.

 

Mark Chilton and Glen Chapple steered Lancashire to their 10th consecutive away win in the 45 over arena with 4 overs to spare. The home supporters were left bemoaning the spectre of Mal Loye!

Key Notes of the Day

• Lancashire won the toss and elected to bowl
• Swann caught & bowled Chapple 7 - 7 for 1 in the 5th over - Powell 0*
• Roberts lbw bowled Cork 7 - 20 for 2 in the 10th over - Powell 5*
• Powell caught Chapple bowled Cork 13 - 31 for 3 in the 12th over - Afzaal 1*
• Afzaal caught Hegg bowled Mahmood 1 - 31 for 4 in the 13th over - Sales 0*
• 51 for 4 in the 17th over - Sales 5* Cook 15*
• Sales bowled Mahmood 6 - 56 for 5 in the 19th over - Cook 19*
• Cook caught Hegg bowed Chapple 25 - 71 for 6 in the 25th over - Brophy 5*
• 100 for 6 in the 33rd over - Brophy 23* Louw 10*
• Louw caught Hooper bowled Chilton 10 - 101 for 7 in the 33rd over - Brophy 23*
• Phillips caught Hogg bowled Chilton 23 - 137 for 8 in the 41st over - Brophy 35*
• Jones lbw bowled Chilton 0 - (First ball) - 138 for 9 in the 41st over - Brophy 36*
• 150 for 9 in the 44th over - Brophy 45* Brown 5*
• 50 Brophy from 79 balls (4 x 3) - 160 for 9 in the 45th over - Brown 8*
• 161 for 9 from 45 overs - Brophy 50* Brown 9* - Innings closed

• 50 for 0 in the 9th over - Loye 38* Sutcliffe 8*
• 50 Loye from 44 balls (11 x 4) - 66 for 0 in the 13th over - Sutcliffe 10*
• Loye bowled Louw 70 - 93 for 1 in the 17th over - Sutcliffe 18*
• 105 for 1 in the 20th over - Sutcliffe 24* Law 5*
• Law bowled Phillips (Off stump) 5 - 109 for 2 in the 21st over - Sutcliffe 28*
• Missed stumping by Brophy - Sutcliffe 34* - 119 for 2 in the 24th over
• Sutcliffe caught Phillips bowled Swann 38 - 128 for 3 in the 27th over - Hooper 9*
• Hooper caught Louw bowled Swann 13 - 140 for 4 in the 35th over - Chilton 8*
• A Swann bowled G Swann 0 (Second ball behind legs) - 141 for 5 in the 35th over - Chilton 9*
• 162 for 5 from 41 overs - Chilton 23* Chapple 7*
• Lancashire 4 points won by 5 wickets

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Neil Adams http://www.cricketimages.co.uk/adams-report/intro.html)