Lancs lose out in last-ball thriller

MOEEN Ali returned to county cricket with Worcestershire Rapids but was upstaged by centurion Daryl Mitchell as his side won a last-ball thriller against Lancashire by three wickets in the Royal London One-Day Cup clash at Blackfinch New Road.

Mitchell rescued the Rapids from 93-6 in pursuit of a 255 target in 48 overs as he reached his 100 off 117 balls with six fours.

He received sterling support from Ed Barnard in a stand of 58 and then skipper, Joe Leach, in an unbroken partnership of 104 in 17 overs.

Two runs were required from the final delivery from Joe Mennie but he delivered a wide and the two players scrambled the extra run to take the Rapids over the line.

Lancs captain Liam Livingstone said: “It is the same as what we’ve done all competition. We’ve got ourselves in another great position and thrown it away. It is very disappointing and a game we should have won.

“It is up to us to start doing something about it. We’ve now got to win every game and hopefully turn it around by the end of the one-day stuff and take it into the T20.”

Moeen struck a quickfire 17 but was one of several Rapids batsmen out to loose shots.

Australian paceman Joe Mennie’s three wicket burst – including Moeen – put Lancs in the driving seat.

But then came the home side’s rescue act via Mitchell and Co.

Lancashire were put into bat and Josh Tongue picked up a wicket with his first legitimate delivery of the game after starting with a wide as Keaton Jennings nicked through to first slip.

Alex Davies (27) went for an aggressive swing over mid-wicket and was bowled by Charlie Morris but then Karl Brown and Liam Livingstone laid the foundations for the Lancashire innings with a stand of 76 in 13 overs.

Livingstone went to his halfcentury off 48 balls but after making 67 he fell victim to a brilliant catch by keeper Ben Cox off Tongue.

Moeen got in on the wickettaking as Steven Croft (28) was caught behind but Graham Onions (30 not out) and Matthew Parkinson added an unbroken 38 for the final wicket.

Onions then quickly made an impact with the ball as Worcestershire lost opener Joe Clarke (4) leg before in his first over.

Mennie collected a third scalp as Brett D’Oliveira picked out Alex Davies on the deep mid wicket boundary. Jennings then got in on the act as Ben Cox departed to a stunning catch by Croft at point. But then Mitchell and Barnard joined forces to launch the recovery.