Towering display from Croft sees Lancs home

STEVEN Croft hailed his ‘perfect day’ as he guided Lancashire to victory over Nottinghamshire at his home club Blackpool.

The veteran, who is having an impressive season, hit an unbeaten 61 to put Lightning on the verge of clinch a Vitality Blast quarter-final spot in a six-wicket win.

Croft was born in the seaside town and is much loved at Stanley Park, where 4,500 packed in to watch the Lancashire claim a seventh win in 10 games by chasing 180-4 with 10 balls remaining to return to the North Group’s summit.

The 37-year-old former county captain hit four fours and two sixes in 44 balls.

“We got the win against one of the better teams in the division, and it puts us in a great position,” said Croft.

“It was a brilliant win for the team and, on a personal note, it was very pleasing to come back here, play a T20 and do well. It was great to see so many familiar faces. It was the perfect day. It felt like we had it under control all the way.”

Nottinghamshire’s 179 for seven included Samit Patel’s 45 off 36 balls and captain Dan Christian’s unbeaten 30 off 14, with two leg-side sixes off the last two balls of the innings from Danny Lamb.

Despite 19 off that last over, Lancashire would have been delighted with their efforts, with fast bowler Richard Gleeson – another Blackpool product – taking 1-24 from four overs.

Spinners Tom Hartley and Luke Wells stood out more with 2-27 and 1-20.

Openers, Keaton Jennings and Josh Bohannon, miscued catches in the ring off Luke Fletcher and Dane Paterson, but Croft and Dane Vilas (55), steadied the ship for Lancashire.

■ JASON Roy toasted his 100th one-day international with 73 off 60 balls as England repelled a fightback from the Netherlands to move into an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

Roy was one of the few England batters to miss out in their world record 498-4 48 hours earlier but, in a contest reduced to 41 overs per side, he hit top form to hasten their pursuit of 236.

Lancashire’s Phil Salt built on his century in the first game with 77 as England won by six wickets in Amsterdam.