Red Rose fancied for cup

CHRIS OSTICK ALEX Davies believes Lancashire will be tough to beat in the Royal London One-day Cup after a recordbreaking victory over Durham.

Davies made the county’s second highest individual score in List A cricket with a career best 147 as the Red Rose secured a thumping 192-run win at Emirates Old Trafford.

It helped Lancashire post 314-7 in 50 overs, who then bowled out the visitors for 122 as they bounced back from the opening defeat to Nottinghamshire.

At one stage, however, it seemed Durham might be chasing an even more intimidating total as the in-form Keaton Jennings helped Davies bring up Lancashire’s first hundred runs inside 14 overs.

The pair eventually broke the Red Rose first-wicket record in List A cricket against Durham and had put on 175 in 28.2 overs when Jennings made room to whack Nathan Rimmington to leg but was bowled for 73.

Karl Brown then added 51 with Davies but the determination of Durham’s bowlers not to be overwhelmed on a typically warm Manchester afternoon was rewarded when four wickets fell for 12 runs in 3.3 overs.

Jordan Clark added 56 in eight overs with Davies before the opener was caught at short third man by Mattie Potts when attempting a reverse ramp off Rimmington.

Davies, who didn’t keep wicket because of a thumb injury, batted for all but 14 balls of his side’s 50-over allotment and had hit 16 fours and one six in his 137-ball innings.

“I feel like a knock like that has been coming for me,” said Davies. “We feel confident. If we play as well as we did today and tighten up some areas, we will be a tough team to beat.

“This competition has come at a good time, it gives you a bit of freedom to express yourself and go out and play.” ●● Tim Farragher scored an impressive 82 in Bacup’s victory against Rishton at the weekend