Lancashire mauled by Bears in T20 defeat

LANCASHIRE Lightning suffered a five-wicket NatWestT20Blast defeat thanks to a superb debut innings from Birmingham Bears’ Adam Hose at Edgbaston yesterday.

The Lightning amassed 174 for eight thanks mainly to Jos Buttler whose unbeaten 80 was the only contribution beyond 20. Measured at first, as wickets fell around him, Buttler paced his innings perfectly, climbing into the bowling late on.

But then Hose, making his debut after moving from Somerset on a three-year deal last week, smashed a dazzling, T20-best 76 from 43 balls with seven fours and five sixes to put his side on course for victory. And after he perished, Grant Elliott saw his side over the line with just two balls to spare with an shrewd unbeaten 45.

Put in, the Lightning soon lost Liam Livingstone for 12 to Keith Barker. Arron Lilley and Karl Brown reached only 18 and 16 respectively before falling to excellent outfield catches from Elliott and Aaron Thomason.

Lancashire soon lost Dane Vilas, Steven Croft and Ryan McLaren, and it was 121 for six.

The Lightning needed some late impetus. Buttler and Tom Bailey supplied it, both clearing the ropes off Barker in the 19th over before Buttler took 19 from the last over, from Rankin.

In reply, Birmingham lost both openers in the first 14 balls before Hose put them on track for the victory.