ICC 2008 Succession Game Results

[Somerset]

Firstly we needed to finalise our 2008 squad, and with Flintoff, Mahmood and Anderson all likely to represent England throughout the summer, it was felt an extra bowler was needed to cover the loss of the trio. Chad Keegan got the nod and became the 24th squad member for the season.

 

[Somerset]

CC Game 1

Surrey was the team's first opponents for the year in the County Championship. A strong bowling line up was selected, with all five of the main bowling attack having represented England at some stage of their career. Keedy, the team's only real spinning option, was left out. The batting looked solid too, with a promising top order and experienced middle.

Surrey won the toss and chose to bat on a reasonable surface but collapsed to 4/58 and they should've been 5/64 had Sutton not dropped Butcher. Cork did the early damage and at one stage had figures of 3/14. Surrey's long tail battled well to post a semi-competitive first innings total of 251. Lancashire made an average reply but Yousuf held the innings together with a well constructed 95. Horton scored 47 but no one else passed 26 and that allowed Surrey back into the game facing only a 13 run deficit.

The pair of Anderson and Mahmood stepped up though, and with Cork again providing good support, Surrey collapsed from 4/175 to 9/203. Murtaza Hossain slogged at the end to set Lancashire a target of 219 to win. Both openers went early but again Yousuf was all class. With support from du Plessis, they added 131 for the third wicket to basically seal the match.

So, overall a decent start. The openers were found wanting and Flintoff and Chapple were both relatively ineffective with the ball, but otherwise it was a solid opening victory.

 

[Somerset]

CT Game 1

Lancashire retained the same side for their opening one day match of the season, against Derbyshire, who had lost by an innings in their first county match. Chapple's retention ahead of Keedy was the only controversial decision. Derbyshire were reduced to 52/3 but Telo and Sadler managed a partnership worth 77. Chapple was ineffective throughout the middle overs and Mahmood was expensive. Anderson with three wickets, and Cork and Flintoff with two apiece fought back to see Derbyshire to 220/9. Sadler's unbeaten 95 took 147 balls.

Lancashire were woeful in reply and slumped to 4/44. For the third successive innings Yousuf was the key and his partnerships of 57, 52 and 39 with Flintoff, Sutton and Cork were crucial. Kevin Dean bowled well for the visitors, but three run outs, of Loye, Flintoff and Cork were what really gave them a chance. Eventually Yousuf hit the winning runs with just two overs to go.

 

[Somerset]

CC Game 2

Once again the side was unchanged for the second county championship game against Somerset. The Lancashire groundstaff opted to prepare a pitch in favour of the quicker bowlers, to negate the threat from Somerset's Michael Munday, so Keedy was ommitted.

Horton and du Plessis were dismissed early after Lancashire won the toss and batted, but Loye batted well for his 82 before falling. Yousuf only made 31. At 6/200, the side looked in trouble but Sutton batted intelligently with the tail, and with notable contributions from Law, Chapple and Mahmood, Lancashire were dismissed for a reasonable 341. In reply, Langer was unstoppable and raced to his century. His 206 came from only 258 balls and Edwards' 105 from 150 deliveries was just as good. The pair added 227, and then Trego and Blackwell combined for another big partnership of 106. Cork and Chapple both went wicketless and Flintoff was also disappointing for just one wicket. Somerset declared somewhat strangely though, with four wickets in hand and only a 164 run lead, with the pitch still in good condition.

Lancashire batted brilliantly and shocked the Somerset team who looked certain for victory. Loye scored 187, du Plessis made 90 and, of course, Yousuf, made 111 and with Loye's partnerships with the two batsmen of 180 and 139, along with some middle order power hitting, it allowed Lancashire to declare and push for an unlikely victory on the final afternoon. With just 45 overs to bowl Somerset out in, the unlikely almost eventuated. Mahmood was outstanding, Chapple came back into form with two wickets and if the home side had more time to bowl, a win would've been on the cards.

 

[Somerset]

CT Game 2

Lancashire toured to Scotland for their second Challenge Trophy match. Keedy played instead of Chapple. The Scottish bowlers did brilliantly in the early stages to restrict the more fancied Lancashire outfit, and reduced them to 2/15. du Plessis and Yousuf added 75 for the third wicket but it was sluggish and it was only when captain Law entered that the tempo increased. The 159 run partnership between Yousuf and Law essentially won the game for Lancashire. Yousuf's 110 took 138 balls, while Law scored an unbeaten 87 from just 71 deliveries.

Flintoff then took over as the Scots attempted to chase an imposing 272 to win. He was oustanding as his ten overs cost just 19 runs, and accounted for five of the Scottish batsmen. Anderson was expensive and taken to early on, but the rest of the bowlers backed up Flintoff well, and ensured another one day victory.

 

[bryce]

Great start there Somerset

 

[bryce]

[B]CT Game 3[/B]

Lancashire were host to a struggling Durham desparate for victory after losing their opening two CT matches. The top order was given a slight re-jig with Horton's competency against spin bowling deemed more appropriate for the middle order, with Law moving to three and the failsafe Yousuf dropping to five. Chapple was swapped for Keedy on a hard pitch expected to favour the seamers. Lancashire lost the toss and were sent in on a cloudy English morning. The Lancashire top five all showed glimpses of form but it was Loye(96) and Horton(66) who ultimately led the way putting on 123 for the fourth wicket, with small middle/lower order contributions pushing the total to 267/7 off the 50 overs.

Anderson bowled Mustard in the first over of the Durham innings, then crucially removed Chanderpaul in the seventh over courtesy of a leaping Yousuf catch at mid-off to leave Durham at 37/2. From then on they were always on the back foot, struggling to cope with the increasing run rate and Cork's effectiveness against the middle and lower order. Three from three for Lancashire.

 

[bryce]

CT Game 4

An unchanged line-up was chosen for the home leg match against Scotland. With Scotland having lost on their own patch in the two teams previous encounter all of 10 days ago, the pressure was mounting on the Scots top-order to counter the Lancashire seam-attack on another seam-orientated surface. Stuart Law lost another toss and was once again required to bat first. Like the last CT match all of the top five got starts with Loye(66), Horton(77*) & Yousuf(64*) posting half centuries and Lancashire finishing on 269/3.

The Scottish top order worked hard after the early loss of opener Watts and before they lost their third wicket in the 24th over were 124/2. The other opener Skeikh watched six wickets fall at the other end before him himself became the seventh - caught by Du Plessis at first slip off Mahmood for a well compiled 95. Chapple grabbed three quick wickets and at 9/201 the Scots looked all but gone, but number nine Smith(29) and number eleven Hoffman(14*) pushed the score out to 243 before Cork trapped Smith plumb in front to give Lancashire a 26 run victory.

 

[bryce]

Result screen. Top of table with +5.31 NetRR

 

[bryce]

CC Game 3

For the upcoming match against Durham Horton was moved back to opener with Du Plessis also back at three, allowing Law to drop to five. A rain-filled first day forecast and seam-friendly conditions meant Keedy was once again left out of the XI.

In a continued trend with this particular manager, Lancashire lost the toss and were sent in, this time in conditions that appeared somewhat character testing against Davies, Harmison & Plunkett. Harmison got Horton early and Loye, Du Plessis & Yousuf were all dismissed in the 20's. Flintoff and Sutton showed guts to post half centuries before the close of play and leave Lancashire in a reasonable position after seeing through a couple of rain interruptions at 216/5 come stumps on day one.

The sun was starting to show at the start of play on day two but that didn't prevent Flintoff and then Cork to be dismissed early. However Sutton marched on to an effortless 125 off 175 balls and had good support from Chapple(44*) to help Lancashire creep to 353 all out one over before lunch was taken. Harmison ended with five but the potent seam attack was generally well handled.

Sajid Mahmood snared two early wickets before Lancashire were rocked by a 225 run partnership for the fifth wicket between Collingwood(165) and Park(111). Only Chapple went at less than four an over in a dominant display by the Durham middle order which enabled them to end on 465 all out and all but put the game out of Lancashire's reach. Unluckily rain again struck the Lancashire innings, ending the day three on 108/3.

Du Plessis(70) and Law(69) quickly re-set themselves on the final day and began to set an aggressive tempo, obviously pushing for quick runs to set Durham a competetive total. Flintoff(43) and Cork(67) also made rapid contributions and Lancashire ended 340 all out in less than 78 overs - a run rate of 4.39. Durham would need 229 runs in just over 1 & a 1/4 sessions in order to win the match. With one session remaining, Durham were 60/1 off 11 overs - needing a very possible 169 additional runs off the final session. Chanderpaul hit 71 off 76 balls but Cork & Chapple proved tough to get away. With three overs remaining Durham were 224/8 and only needed five runs to win with a settled Park and Davies at the crease. Davies whipped Chapple through mid-wicket for four which allowed Park to hit the winning runs off Cork in the following over. A drop at slip off Cork midway through Chanderpaul's innings may have proved the difference - though the way Anderson, Mahmood & Flintoff fell over in the face of pressure was also telling.

 

[bryce]

CT Game 5

Andrew Flintoff is the only Lancashire player picked for the opening home Test versus New Zealand. Faced with another one-day track with seemingly minimal assistance for spinners 22 year old medium pacer Tom Smith will take Flintoff's place in the one-day XI for this upcoming match vs Yorkshire - after averaging 46 with the bat and 23 with the ball aswell as maintaining a good economy rate for the Lancashire 2nd XI. Horton goes back to four and Law again up to three. Yorkshire elected to bat but at 49/3 looked to be regretting it with numbers one, two and three all back in the hut. Their middle order however seemed to be playing a different game - numbers four, five, six & seven all passing 30. McGrath(71) anchored the innings, while the Yorkshire 'lad' Bresnan walloped the Lancashire seamers with a "brezy" 72 off only 68 balls from number six. They ended on 275/7. Anderson, Mahmood & Cork all bowled well - but debutant Smith was horrificly shocking on debut, and will probaly be lucky to see future game time after his showing.

Loye hit three quick fours before being struck in front, allowing Du Plessis & Law to put on 109 for the second wicket before Du Plessis was stumped off Wainwright for a composed 62. Law stood firm but had to watch both Horton & Yousuf get out leg before to the spinners. He posted his century and was then lbw to Naved for 107 at crucial time of the match which saw Lancashire lose three more quick wickets to be left reeling at 257/8. It was the most unlikely of suspects who brought Lancashire across the finish line though - debutant Smith redeeming his 0/65 of seven overs by creaming three boundaries and only facing five balls to end 14* and promptly make his way to the pub.

 

[Somerset]

CC Game 4

The winless Nottinghamshire were Lancashire's next opponents in the county championship. Keedy replaced Smith from the previous match, and Horton was brought back up to open the batting.

After Nottinghamshire won the toss and chose to bat, it was the visitors who dominated for the opening two days. At one stage Nottinghamshire was 8/158 in their first innings, and only a 97 run partnership between Read and Broad saved them. Mahmood and Anderson were the pick of the bowlers. In response, Lancashire started brilliantly as the opening pair of Loye (60) and Horton (53) added 110 together. However, a collapse early on day two saw the side fall to 5/165 and in some trouble. Cork joined Yousuf and the damage was avoided though, and their 229 run stand was an exhibition of class batting. Eventually, Lancashire managed a first innings lead of nearly 200 runs.

Nottinghamshire again struggled against Mahmood early on but three figure partnerships between Wagh and Read, and then Ealham and Franks, made the Lancashire bowlers struggle. The tail folded eventually but by then the home side had set a total of 292 to win. On a tricky final day pitch, Lancashire found themselves 4/117 at one point and after a slow second session, they needed 151 from the final session to win. It was Yousuf again who saw his side to victory, with his third championship hundred of the season, and his 137 run partnership with Sutton was the crucial stand Lancashire required to win the game.

 

[Somerset]

CT Game 6

A weakened Durham side faced the unbeaten Lancashire in the Challenge Trophy next. Du Plessis was promoted to open with Loye, as Horton dropped down to number five. Newby replaced Chapple but Keedy retained his spot, so a slightly longer tail than usual played.

Durham made 261 batting first, with Park, who scored a well made 94, and Di Venuto with 54, the main contributors. Newby picked up four wickets but three were from the penultimate over of the innings. Mahmood with 2/47 was impressive and he was unlucky not to have better figures. Interestingly, eight Durham batsmen were given out LBW.

Du Plessis (119) was brilliant in response but he was let down by a lack of support. Law made 46 but no other batsman passed 25. Even so, Lancashire needed only five from the final over, but a single and dot ball from the first two balls bowled by Breese increased the pressure. Anderson was dismissed from the next delivery, and Durham celebrated a narrow three run victory.

 

[Somerset]

CT Game 7

Lancashire travelled to Derbyshire for their seventh Challenge Trophy match. Mahmood was called up by England so Chapple took his spot in an otherwise unchanged line up.

Lancashire lost their seventh consecutive toss but Derbyshire strangely elected to bat in very overcast conditions. Their innings never got going and they only just passed 200. Anderson and Cork took five wickets between them and used the conditions well, while Keedy wrapped up the lower order with a tight spell of bowling.

Tom Lungley then reduced Lancashire to 3/14, including handing golden ducks to Loye and Mohammed Yousuf. Unfortunately for the home side, the rest of their bowling attack was very average and let their main strike bowler down. Du Plessis (75) and Horton (92*) put on 116 together, before Lungley came back and took two further wickets. Derbyshire couldn't capatilise however, and Horton calmly finished the job off with the assistance of Cork and Chapple.

 

[bryce]

You should be proud of that championship win - unbelievable match from Yousuf. The one-day batting list is looking increasingly strong.

 

[Somerset]

CT Game 8

Flintoff and Mahmood both returned for the final Challenge Trophy group match, replacing Chapple and an out of form Anderson for the game against Yorkshire.

After finally winning the toss on a good batting surface, Lancashire never really took control and whilst their total of 265/7 was competitive, it could've been much better. Du Plessis continued his good form with 59, and Flintoff, Sutton and Loye all made contributions, but no batsman really cashed in.

Yorkshire made a stunning start to their reply as Vaughan and Rudolph smashed their way to a 170 run opening stand. Vaughan's 95 came from just 83 deliveries, while Rudolph's innings of 95 was slightly slower. The breaks were applied towards the end of the innings but Yorkshire still cruised home. Cork and Keedy were particularly ineffective, though none of the bowlers were able to restrict the Yorkshire batsmen.

 

[Somerset]

Even with a few losses towards the end of the group matches, Lancashire still easily qualified for the quarter finals of the Challenge Trophy, and are set for a quarter final against Warwickshire.

 

[Somerset]

You should be proud of that championship win - unbelievable match from Yousuf. The one-day batting list is looking increasingly strong.

Yousuf has been brilliant in county matches for me, three centuries in the three matches I've played now. To be honest at tea I was expecting the match to be a draw given the state of the pitch, so to win with a few overs remaining was very satisfying.

 

[_Ed_]

You guys are doing fantastically so far!

 

[bryce]

CC Game 5

Lancashire travelled to Yorkshire for a tricky four-day fixture on a pitch expected to favour the home sides spin duo - Rashid & Wainwright. Predictably Keedy was favoured in the XI for Lancashire, along with a returning James Anderson. Lancashire got the luck early on by winning the toss and & electing to bat - eager to avoid facing the spin attack in a possible last innings chase on a more probale deterioating pitch. It was start city for the whole top seven of the Lancashire list, with Yousuf the only one carrying on bringing up a majestic 163 ball century - his third hundred in as many innings. Law(46) and Flintoff(72) both scored quickly and provided apt support as the Yorkshire bowlers toiled against the Lancashire middle order. Yousuf powered on to 157* come the close of day one with Lancashire 396/7.

The pitch was turning sharply on only the second day, with Yousuf last out to Wainwright for 191. Lancashire with 463 on the board and alot of work in front of them. Anderson & Cork snared two each to have Yorkshire 109/4. Rashid hit 70 from first drop but once Anderson bowled him to have his fourth wicket Yorkshire were 170/7 coming into the last session on day two. Anderson then scythed through the lower order as Keedy failed to create even a single chance - Anderson finishing with six wickets for the innings and Yorkshire 223 runs in arrears. Stuart Law duly enforced the follow-on with three overs to play on day two, which Yorkshire finished 7/0.

Wickets fell steadily for Yorkshire and only a Michael Vaughan 76 prevented the top-order from complete embarassment. Though once he went Yorkshire were still in the precarious position of 196/7 - still 27 runs behind. However Bresnan(37), Gale(92) & Wainwright(55) added some much needed respectability to the total from numbers six, seven and eight. Mahmood got the top four and created a steady flow of chances, but Anderson proved placid this time round. Keedy was tidy and only went for 57 off his 30 overs. Once Cork had Gale caught at slip early on the morning of day four the innings was as good as closed with Cork knocking over numbers ten and eleven in the space of three balls - setting Yorkshire a target of 139 runs to win which they did for the loss of four wickets. Yousuf(63*) and Flintoff(20*) the not-out batsmen.
Lancashire move to the top of Division One, a single point clear of Hampshire.