Record-breaker Parry puts spark into Lightning
ROUND-UP
STEPHEN Parry collected the best-ever bowling figures by a Lancashire Lightning player as he grabbed 5-13 in their ‘must-win’ clash with Worcestershire last week.
Parry’s efforts, which surpassed Mitch McClenaghan’s 5-29 in 2013, led to the Rapids being skittled out for just 53 with only Brett D’Oliveira managing to make double figures at Old Trafford.
It was the Rapids’ lowest-ever total in the shortest format and the 96-run winning margin for the Lightning was their second-highest in T20 cricket.
The victory keeps them in the hunt for a quarter-final spot out of the North Group.
“Getting the win was important, because it was a must-win game,” said left-arm spinner Parry.“The way we’ve bowled in the last two games has been brilliant, and there’s been some good signs going forward.
“I’ve had a bit of a slow start this season. I think that we all have really, but we are starting to get it together.There’s still a long way to go, but I think we are starting to get going in this competition.”
Joint group leaders Northamptonshire and Birmingham both prepared for their top-of-the-table clash tonight with wins over Leicestershire Foxes.
Josh Cobb is targeting a home quarter-final after returning to haunt his former club on Sunday with a half-century as the Steelbacks made light work of their successful chase of a 150-run target.
He said:“You’re aiming for seven wins to get you in the quarters so we’re nearly there but we really want a home tie in the quarter-finals and we’re building towards that.”
The Foxes had been beaten by the Bears two days earlier, this time at home.
After being reduced to 25-4 they recovered to 125-7 but it was a target that Ian Bell, who hit an unbeaten 36, and Laurie Evans, whose 52 came off just 29 deliveries, knocked off with some ease.
The Steelbacks and the Bears are tied on 11 points at the top of the group with the Rapids on nine having played a game more.
Elsewhere, Durham Jets beat Yorkshire Vikings by six runs on the D/L method and Derbyshire Falcons lost to Nottinghamshire Outlaws by seven wickets.