Red Rose keeping Blast hopes alive
LANCASHIRE’S NatWest T20 Blast hopes are still alive going into the final group match of the campaign tomorrow night after a comprehensive win over Worcestershire Rapids.
But more than likely they will need another big win against Birmingham Bears at Emirates Old Trafford – and hope other results go their way – to secure a place in the last eight.
Jos Buttler scored an unbeaten 52 off 40 balls and Liam Livingstone 36 from 37 as the pair saw Lancashire home with a 76-run stand in their chase of Worcestershire’s 127-8 with 15 balls and seven wickets to spare.
Not only is a win crucial tomorrow night, their net run rate will more than likely be vital too, with several sides in the running to finish in the top four.
Tonight’s clashes between Northants and Yorkshire and Derbyshire and Leicestershire – who are all in the mix will leave them with a clearer idea of what they need to do tomorrow.
But, after a mixed group stage, they are at least still in the competition.
“We are still alive, which is the main thing,” said Lancashire captain Steven Croft. “We would have liked to have wrapped up qualification by now but we haven’t recorded enough wins so therefore don’t deserve it.
“We knew wickets in hand were vital. It was professional partnership between Liam and Jos with some cool heads and it was a great knock by both of them.”
Matthew Parkinson was again the star with the ball for Lightning. The legspinner continued his impressive first season in the competition by taking 1-14 from his four overs as the slow bowlers shackled Worcestershire’s batting line-up. In all, Parkinson, Arron Lilley, Liam Livingstone and Stephen Parry bowled 13 overs of spin, conceding just 66 runs between them on a turning wicket.
Lilley, who took 2-18 in three overs, also added an important 33 off just 24 balls in the run chase.
“Before the game it looked like the pitch was a bit slower and it suited our bowlers down to the ground,” added Croft, who was full of praise for 20-yearold Parkinson.
“Every game so far he has turned it on. Not many teams will have seen him before this season, but he puts the ball in good areas and he puts some revs on it.”
Meanwhile, Lancashire Thunder made it two defeats from their opening two Kia Super League games as they lost to Surrey Stars by 33 runs, despite 34 from England star Sarah Taylor on her debut.