Lancashire Dev v Warwickshire
Sunday 29th June At Mawdesley CC
Lancashire 124/9 (39.0 overs)
Aaron O’Neill 47
Jack Fisher 20
D. Lamb 3/19
Warwickshire 125/3 (29.1 overs)
T. Buss 50*
Jack Fisher 2/15
Jack Hughes 1/12
Sunday saw the return to Pursuit League Fixtures and the return fixture against Warwickshire, and the Red Rose side were keen to put there recent result behind them and show more of what they are capable of. Late withdrawals meant the side once again showed many changes and finally we were able to give a league debut to Kazim Dalvi. Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat at the fantastic looking Mawdesley CC.
Aaron O’Neill was promoted to opener along side regular Tyler Preece, with the pair instructed to go out, enjoy the experience and put the practice into match conditions, both knuckled down and got used to the pace and bounce of the opening bowlers whilst putting on 10 runs from the first 5 overs. As they started to time the shots, the scoring rate increased, finding the gaps and long boundaries, taking another 27 runs off the next 6 overs. The pair grew in confidence and trust for each other’s calling rotating the strike.
Gibbs finally broke the partnership in the 15th Over with the score on 48, as he trapped Preece in front LBW for 15 from 44 balls. O’Neill and Tamburro added a further 20 runs for the 2nd wicket before the latter was bowled by the impressive leg spin of Pugh for 6.
Having not played for 12 months, Stefan Holmes returned to the side and looked like he hadn’t been away, sweeping Gibbs behind square for 4 taking Lancashire to 77 for 2 after 21 overs.
Warwickshire then brought Furquan into the attack and unfortunately for the hosts, both he and Pugh at the Pavillion end dried up the runs with some accurate bowling and potentially a little nervousness as Lancashire could only score a further 3 runs from 4 overs leaving them 94/3 after 28 overs. Unfortunately having lost Holmes in the previous over, Pugh picked up the vital wicket of O’Neill bowling him for 47, Well done Aaron battling out in the heat for 127minutes, facing 82 balls.
10 overs to go Lancashire were still in a good position at 95/4, with some stronger batters still to come in. Jack Fisher was again spurred on from his previous innings and hit 2 straight sixes and a 4 to push the board along but unfortunately was bowled by Loxton in the 36th over with the score at 116/7.
Having come in to help the side out for the day, Finneran came in at the end and held the inning together before Hughes was runout as the pair tried to get the experienced batter on strike for the final over, Lancashire closing on 124/9 all out. Reaching their highest league total.
A Huge shout out and appreciation to the Clubs Tea Lady on what a was wonderful feast, and endless supply of tea and juice for the squads and scorers. A thing that seems to be disappearing from Cricket these days but should be brought back.
It was evident a the start of the second innings, the cakes were a winner. Matty Tamburro opened up coming down the slope with a maiden and unfortunately 12 runs were scored off Dalvi’s first over as he got loosened up.
A change of bowling brought Left arm Fisher into the attack as Lancashire looked to the spin option to try to tighten things up and pick up some wickets, Warwickshire were slightly ahead after 10 overs at 40 for 1, However the hosts were starting to tighten up and get back into the game.
The first wicket came as Wattison tried for a second time to clear the field, being caught by Kazim at mid on off the bowling of Fisher for 10.
O’Neill replaced Tamburro and soon found his rhythm, bowling with good pace, and length, beating the bat on many occasions, his pressure led to Fisher picking up his 2nd wicket of the day, trapping Haroon LBW for 24 from 44 balls. 55 for 2 off 14 overs.
Tyler Preece replaced Fisher at the Pavillion end, as Lancashire fought back into the game restricting the visitors to just 17 runs from the next 6 overs before drinks.
The 3rd Wicket partnership of Buss 25 and Ghalib 17, eased the pressure on the visiting team before Jack Hughes got his reward for bowling tight lines trapping Ghalib LBW, the pair adding 55 runs.
Billy entered the attack and Tamburro was brought back on to try to break through the batting line up but unfortunately it was not to be, Buss battled on brilliantly and reached his half century before sealing the win in the 30th over.
Lots of positives to come out of the game for the Red Rose side, as they continue to grow and develop their games and well done to Warwickshire on their victory in a good competitive game.
The next round of league fixtures sees Lancashire have their bye weekend but they are looking to try their hand at T20 cricket with a friendly at Bare CC before heading down the road to play Cheshire at the end of July.
The 1st team return to action this weekend heading up to Southport & Birkdale CC for the Roses clash starting at 1:00pm