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

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Scorecard:

Lancashire v Nottinghamshire

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Summary

As the teams left the dressing room, the smell of rain filled the air. The clouds were very dark and extremely low in the sky. After 22 deliveries, the players and umpires hurried to the sanctuary of the dressing rooms. The crowd dispersed to the pavilion, or hid beneath their umbrellas. 4 hours, and 2 inspections later, the match restart - albeit a 17 over "slog". Those supporters sceptical of the forthcoming 20/20 matches had an early chance to analyse that format of the game, Nottinghamshire scored briskly and the Duckworth/Lewis scoring method acted as a useful twelfth man. Asked to score at just under 7 an over, Lancashire temporarily lost their way after 3 wickets fell inside 5 overs. However, an unbroken partnership of 88 between Flintoff and Hooper steered the home side to victory with 9 balls to spare. They were assisted by some wayward bowling from Paul Franks who bowled 5 wides, including 3 in a row at one stage.

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Considering the circumstances of the game, Glen Chapple's spell of 4 overs for 14 was exceptional (Although 2 overs were bowled prior to the revised 17 over game). However, Carl Hooper's figures of 1 for 20 from 4 overs wins the award.

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Although Flintoff scored slightly more runs 43 from 31 balls, the best performance of the day came from Carl Hoper. His vast experience in a tight situation was very evident. He never rushed, and knew that if he was at the crease in the final over, that Lancashire would win the game.

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Andrew Flintoff held 3 boundary catches, which would all have carried for six runs if they were not intercepted.

 

Highlight of the Day

Andrew Flintoff's marvellous six to win the game. Also worthy of a mention - Afzaal's catch to dismiss Mal Loye - a truly superb diving catch just above the ground.

 

Lowlight of the Day

Nothing significant to report - Flintoff misjudged the flight of a ball on the boundary edge and conceded 4 runs.

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

Nothing contentious to report.

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Lancashire win the toss and invited Nottinghamshire to bat first
• 3.4 overs play - Rain 1.10pm - 8 for 0 - Gallian 5* Afzaal 3*
• Rain stops 3.30pm - Inspections at 4pm & 4.40pm - Play starts 5pm
• Game reduced to 17 overs per side - 12 runs to be added to Nottinghamshire's score
• Afzaal caught Flintoff bowled Mahmood 9 - 15 for 1 in the 5th over - Gallian 6*
• Pietersen caught Flintoff bowled Hogg 7 - 29 for 2 in the 8th over - Gallian 12*
• 53 for 2 in the 9th over - Gallian 26* Welton 9*
• Gallian caught Hegg bowled Chapple 36 - 67 for 3 in the 12th over - Welton 13*
• Patel bowled Chapple 1 - 69 for 4 in the 12th over - Welton 14*
• Franks caught Flintoff bowled Wood 5 - 80 for 5 in the 14th over - Welton 19*
• 100 for 5 in the 17th over - Welton 28* Clough 9*
• Welton stumped Hegg bowled Hooper 28 - 100 for 6 from 17 overs - Clough 9*

• Lancashire set 112 from 17 overs @ 6.58 per over
• Loye caught Afzaal bowled Harris 8 - 14 for 1 in the 2nd over - Sutcliffe 5*
• Sutcliffe caught Clough bowled Harris 10 - 22 for 2 in the 4th over - Law 1*
• Law caught Franks bowled Clough 2 - 26 for 3 in the 5th over - Hooper 3*
• 50 for 3 in the 10th over - Flintoff 13* Hooper 11*
• 50 partnership - 78 for 3 in the 13th over - Flintoff 25* Hooper 25*
• 100 for 3 in the 15th over - Flintoff 33* Hooper 40*
• Flintoff 33 dropped - 104 for 3 in the 16th over - Hooper 40*
• 114 for 3 in the 16th over - Flintoff 43* Hooper 40*
• Lancashire 4 points beat Nottinghamshire by 7 wickets D/L method

 

Man of the Match

Carl Hooper for his unbeaten 40 and 1 wicket.

 

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