Match report: Lancs v Northants in NCL 2003 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Lancashire v Northamptonshire

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Summary

Without any question of doubt, Lancashire's worst one day performance during 2002, was against Northamptonshire in the NUL. On that occasion, Lancashire lost by 62 runs, and never managed to move out of first gear. During this encounter, Lancashire were comprehensively outplayed in every department and lost by 45 runs. Lancashire replaced Alec Swann and Peter Martin, with John Wood and Kyle Hogg. Despite having 8 bowlers in the team, the hosts were unable to dismantle the Northants batting attack, and paid a high price for missed opportunities in the field. Poor shot selection, and some fine outfield catching, compounded the situation and ensured the winning margin was extremely comfortable. The Steelbacks jinx had returned!

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Glen Chapple's 8 overs for 27 runs was brilliant under the circumstances. His opening spell of 6 overs for 12 runs was inspired. Chapple only conceded one boundary during his 8 overs, and bowled Lancashire's only maiden over. (The only one of the match). For Northamptonshire, Graeme Swann's 3 for 15 turned the screw at a vital time.

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Mark Chilton scored 35 runs from 51 balls, and hit 4 x 4. Iain Sutcliffe scored 26 runs from 49 balls 1x 4. Together, they managed to post 63 for the first wicket. For Northamptonshire, Mike Hussey 84 and Phil Jacques 65 added 152 for the second wicket.

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

On the final ball of Northamptonshire's innings, Chris Schofield and Glen Chapple combined to dismiss Phil Jacques. Despite a full length dive, Jacques was deemed to be marginally short of his ground following Schofield's throw from the long-off boundary. Northamptonshire's Andre Nel held two high quality outfield catches to remove Iain Sutcliffe and Mal Loye.

 

Highlight of the Day

From Lancashire's perspective, the only highlight was the opening partnership between Iain Sutcliffe and Mark Chilton. The lack of highlights created by the hosts was reflected by the very silent home crowd throughout the game.

 

Lowlight of the Day

Andrew Flintoff's fourth ball run out for just 7 runs, following his maximum hit straight down the ground. It was a suicidal run and simply defied belief. Chris Schofield's 1 over for 15 runs was also deeply depressing. He never managed to bowl a "dot" ball, and looks massively out of his depth at the moment, and lacking confidence.

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

Nothing to report

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Due to intermittent showers, game reduced to 37 overs per side
• 2pm start - Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to bat
• Powell 9* missed opportunity by Law at second slip in the 7th over
• Hussey 8* dropped caught and bowled opportunity in the 10th over by Chapple (Tough chance) - 26-0
• Powell bowled Hogg 30 (Off stump) 44 for 1 in the 13th over - Hussey 13*
• 50 for 1 in the 15th over - Hussey 19* Jacques 0*
• 50 partnership posted in the 23rd over - 94 for 1
• 100-1 in the 24th over - Hussey 37* Jacques 25*
• Hussey 50 from 87 balls (5 x 4) in the 28th over - 132-1 Jacques 43*
• Hussey 52* dropped by Sutcliffe at short extra cover in the 31st over 137-1
• Jacques 50 from 56 balls (4 x 4 & 1 x 6) in the 31st over 143-1
• 100 partnership posted in the 32nd over - 144-1 Hussey 54* Jacques 51*
• 150-1 in the 33rd over
• Jacques run out from final ball of innings for 65
• 196 for 2 from 37 overs - Hussey 84*

• 50-0 in the 11th over - Chilton 26* Sutcliffe 21*
• Sutcliffe caught Nel bowled Brown 26 in the 15th over - 63-1 Chilton 33*
• Chilton stumped Bailey bowled Phillips 35 in the 18th over - 70-2 Loye 4*
• 100-2 in the 24th over - Law 20* Loye 12*
• Law caught from "free-hit" 102-2
• Flintoff run out (Hussey) 7 in the 26th over - 117-4 Law 26*
• Law caught Brown bowled Cook 29 in the 28th over - 121-5 Chapple 1*
• Schofield caught Bailey bowled Swann 1 in the 29th over - 125-6 Chapple 2*
• Chapple stumped Bailey bowled Swann 9 in the 31st over - 138-7 Hegg 6*
• Hegg caught Greenidge bowled Nel 7 in the 32nd over - 140-8 Hogg 1*
• Wood caught Sales bowled Swann 1 in the 33rd over - 144-9 Hogg 2*
• 151 for 9 in the 34th over Hogg 6* Anderson 1*
• Hogg caught Cook bowled Nel 6 in the 34th over - 151 all out Anderson 1*
• Northamptonshire Steelbacks win by 45 runs.

 

Lancashire Man of the Match

Glen Chapple for his excellent bowling

 

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