South Australia hosted Lancashire in a clash that the Redbacks were wary of...
Although their OD performances have been close to perfect SA manager Brendon Goff was wary of the Redbacks record against Lancashire in the shorter version of the game, in which Lancs had a 3-1 count over the Aussies in recent times...
The day started well for the redbacks with a beuatiful day greeting all, a packed house and the pitch looking like a highway and when Lehmann won the toss, SA had no hesitation in batting 1st...
Jenkins and Williams strode to the centre and Jenkins found the going easy early, scoring at a run a ball, but Williams who has looked a bit out of sorts of late struggled and was dismissed for 4, SA 1-25...
Lehmann joined Jenkins and the 2 showed their class as they pushed the score along to 76 before Jenkins was dismissed for 52 from only 44 deliveries.. Stratton copped an unplayable delivery from Mendis and was gone for 0, SA all of a sudden in a bit of trouble at 3-85...
From there the fireworks began, Lehmann along with French bludgened the Lancashire attack, scoring better then a run a ball, they passed 100, then 200, then 250 before the innings closed at 3-306. Lehmann the star with 133*(138), but he was well supported from rookie Kane French 98*(100), who finally showed some of the promise which he showed in the Youth leagues over the past few seasons.....
SA had made use of the brilliant conditions and with such a big score Lancashire were going to have a tough time of it against a very strong SA attack...
The Lancashire openers strode to the crease with a eager glint in their eye, and they started like a house on fire with Schiller belting the leather all over the park, racing to 42(36) before falling to Dennett, Lancs 1-55..
Baumgarner and Ramprakash added 21 before Baumgarner departed for 9, 2-76...
Ramprakash and Madanagopal then gave the away fans a light of hope with a big patnership. They took it steady and built the score to 198 before Madanagopal fell for an even 50...
Lancs needed 99 off the last 10 overs and with plenty of batting remaining they were a chance...
Beasley came out firing but Ramprakash had been slowed down and struggled to get out of the rut, and by the time he was dismissed for 92 Lancs chances had vanished with only 1 over remaining... Lancs eventually finished 4-250, with Beasley 39*(35) showing some class that may see him push for a promotion up the order...
For SA Strattons 1-33 was the turning point as he slowed the Lancashire assault to a point where it could not get out....
After the game Redbacks manager Brendon Goff told reporters how happy he was with his sides performances..
"The boys are continuously performing, they are rising to the occasion every week, they have had a gruelling season and they still manage to play to this level, Its a credit to them"..
When asked about the Contract situation at the club for next season Goff said " We haven't really spoke about it, although there are guys who have been given permission to negotiate for next season but the majority of the squad have been performing brilliantly all season and its going to be very very difficult, and with both rookies performing admirably so far in the Academy its going to take alot of negotiations with players and the SACA as to who stays and who goes"...
When asked about NSW manager Bugssy Malone's comments that he does not expect to win next weeks clash against the Division 1 Leaders Goff Laughed... " Bugs is a clown, he is always trying take the focus off his team, He has a great side and although they are down they have the ability to beat any team on their day"...