Match report: Leics v Lancs in Twenty20 Cup 2003 by Neil Adams

---

Scorecard:

Leicestershire v Lancashire

---

Summary

Tactically in terms of a game of chess, "Grand-masters" Leicestershire completely out-witted "Beginners" Lancashire from start to finish. The home side slowly and surely strangled the life out of the their visitors and proclaimed "Check-mate" just before 8pm. Quite simply, Leicester bowled with greater intelligence, fielded with more intent, and batted with more gusto. (Leicestershire bowled slower and from short bowling run-ups to rush the batsmen - the wicket-keeper stood up to the stumps from the first ball and stayed there nearly every ball - the batsmen combined boundaries and singles). Lancashire conceded far too many extras. Consequently, Leicestershire had nearly 22 overs to amass their total. However, during the "Excitement" of 20/20 cricket it is important not to lose focus on Leicestershire's performance in the "Real cricket". Their "Supporters" seemed strangely content to be relegated to division 2 of the four day game if success is attained in the short version. At least Lancashire have their priorities right - roll-on Chelmsford and Worcester!

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

John Wood bowled very well under difficult circumstances to finish with 1 for 24 (Most economic bowler). However, Lancashire's best bowler was Peter Martin - he captured 3 wickets for just 29 runs. His wickets included both Leicestershire's overseas players - Sehwag and Hodge (Bowled). Martin also contributed 10 runs with the bat and allowed Chapple to dominate the strike.

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Glen Chapple smashed 55 runs from just 35 balls. His timing and shot selection were very impressive. Without doubt, Chapple should be given the opportunity to open the batting in this short format of the game - with the field restrictions in place for the first six overs, Chapple is a "Low-risk" option compared to Stuart Law.

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Without question, Lancashire's best fielder was Carl Hooper. His catch at mid wicket to remove DeFreitas was out of this world (Slog shot travelling very fast at waist high - Hooper stretched out his right hand and plucked it from the air). He also held a very sharp caught and bowled chance after Stevens blasted the ball straight back. Hooper has not dropped one opportunity in any form of cricket this season.

 

Highlights of the Day

• Carl Hooper's stunning catch to dismiss DeFreitas.
• Watching Chapple's innings of 55.
• Peter Martin's superb bowling spell.

 

Lowlights of the Day

• Lancashire conceded far too many extras (Particularly wides - 10). In this format of the game, a team can not afford to bowl 2 extra overs.
• Watching Mahmood concede 21 runs in his last over to finish with figures of 0 for 49.
• Watching too many Lancashire batsmen hand their wicket to Leicestershire on a plate.
• Alec Swann's run out - Following Carl Hooper's dismissal 3 balls earlier, Swann choose to take on Jamie Grove's arm from the third man boundary. An accurate throw combined with a poor decision to attempt a second run resulted in the inevitable raising of the umpires finger (Sorry Alec's dad - I know you read this website!)
• On his return to Grace Road, Iain Sutcliffe was dismissed for 0 - Iain is not "Cut-out" for this style of cricket.

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

On the last ball of Leicestershire's innings, Brandy and Sadler attempted to run a bye. Hegg collected the ball and dislodged one of the bails - Brandy fell short of his ground. However, the umpire did not give Brandy out, much to the confusion of Hegg, the Lancashire players and supporters.

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Leicestershire won the toss and elected to bat
• Sehwag bowled Martin 26 - 31 for 1 in the 4th over - Stevens 1*
• Hodge bowled Martin 10 - 49 for 2 in the 6th over - Stevens 7*
• 50 for 2 in the 6th over - Stevens 7* DeFreitas 1*
• DeFreitas caught Hooper bowled Wood 9 - 73 for 3 in the 9th over - Stevens 18*
• 100 for 3 in the 12th over - Stevens 28* Maddy 14*
• 50 partnership - 126 for 3 in the 14th over - Stevens 32* Maddy 33*
• Stevens caught & bowled Hooper 32 - 138 for 4 in the 15th over - Maddy 45*
• Maddy lbw bowled Chapple 46 - 145 for 5 in the 16th over - Nixon 5*
• 150 for 5 in the 16th over - Nixon 5* Snape 1*
• Chapple bowls 4 wides in the 16th over
• Snape bowled Martin 1 - 169 for 6 in the 18th over - Nixon 22*
• Nixon caught & bowled Chapple 26 - 176 for 7 in the 20th over - Brandy 1*
• 178 for 7 from 20 overs - Brandy 2* Sadler 0*

• Loye bowled Maddy 0 (4th ball) - 0 for 1 in the 1st over - Law 0*
• Law caught Hodge bowled Maddy 6 - 13 for 2 in the 3rd over - Schofield 7*
• Schofield caught Snape bowled DeFreitas 18 - 27 for 3 in the 4th over - Hooper 2*
• Sutcliffe caught Sadler bowled DeFreitas 0 - 34 for 4 in the 6th over - Hooper 8*
• 51 for 4 in the 8th over - Hooper 10* Swann 10*
• Hooper caught Brandy bowled Masters 18 - 62 for 5 in the 10th over - Swann 13*
• Swann run out 14 (Grove) - 63 for 6 in the 10th over - Chapple 0*
• Hegg caught Stevens bowled Masters 2 - 70 for 7 in the 13th over - Chapple 4*
• Mahmood hits 2 consecutive sixes in the 15th over
• Mahmood caught Sehwag bowled Hodge 21 - 97 for 8 in the 15th over - Chapple 7*
• 100 for 8 in the 16th over - Chapple 10* Martin 0*
• 50 Chapple from 31 balls (6 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 145 for 8 in the 19th over
• 50 partnership - 147 for 8 in the 19th over - Chapple 53* Martin 3* (Chapple dropped on boundary by Sehwag as score moved from 145 to 147)
• 150 for 8 in the 20th over - Chapple 54* Martin 5*
• 156 for 8 from 20 overs - Chapple 55* Martin 10* - partnership 59 unbroken
• Lancashire lost by 22 runs

 

Lancashire Man of the Match

Glen Chapple for his 55 runs and 2 wickets. He saved Lancashire from total humiliation.

 

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