Gloucestershire Gladiators Vs. Lancashire Lightning CB40

Lightning qualify for CB40 semi-final by defeating Gladiators.

Lancashire have qualified for this

years CB40 semi-final by defeating

Gloucestershire Gladiators by 18

runs. After a disappointing effort with the bat, Lancashire’s bowling attack,led by skipper Glen Chapple (5-26), were able to guide Lancashire to their eighth victory of the CB40 campaign. After he heroically guided Lancashire home with the bat last year at Cheltenham, Oliver Newby was once again essential, Scoring 37 when Lancashire were 143-8.

After yet another drawn game in the County Championship against Worcestershire, visitors Lancashire were keen to turn their attention towards the competition that they have been so successful in, and winning the toss certainly boosted their spirits. Stephen Moore returned to the Lancashire side after he was left in the match at New Road and accompanied by Ashwell Prince sought to gain some form with the bat. But he was caught behind by John Batty off James Fuller for 14, with the Lightning on 20-1. Prince (25) was joined by the in-form Steven Croft and a partnership of 43 runs seemed to suggest that batting was easy but Prince was soon caught by Daniel Housego off David Payne, as Lancashire reached a steady score of 63-2.

But Lancashire’s middle order was unable to provide stability to the efforts of Croft and Prince. Karl Brown was trapped LBW for Benny Howell for just 3 and when Croft (31) was caught by Ian Cockbain off spinner Ed Young Lancashire had stumbled to 85-4. New batsmen Gareth Cross and Paul Horton were likewise unable to get Lancashire out of trouble loosing their wickets in quick succession. Cross was stumped by Batty off Young for 9 and then Horton edged to Batty off young pace-bowler Fuller, as Lancashire were struggling at 100-6.

Tail-enders, Ajmal Shahzad (13) and Glen Chapple (16), were starting to look promising with the bat but it was difficult to prevent the spinner Young, who claimed his third wicket when Shahzad was caught by Howell. Chapple, who would prove instrumental with the ball, was only able to score 16 before he was caught by Alex Gidman off Payne (3-48) with Lancashire on dissapoiting score of 143-8. Last year Oliver Newby struck 35* at Cheltenham to guide the Lightning home and his score of 37 was an essential part of Lancashire’s success today. Accompanied by Stephen Parry (12), who was caught by Young off Payne on the final delivery of the innings, Lancashire were able to reach a dignified score of 182-9.

Lancashire’s success this year has certainly come from their ability to bowl economically and take wickets regularly and this would prove dividend today. Shahzad struck first when Hamish Marshall was caught superbly by Croft and Chapple soon followed with Rob Nicol being caught by Parry as Lancashire dismissed both openers for one run a piece. At 2-2 the home side were struggling and when Benny Howell was bowled by Chapple for 6 the situation became desperate. Chapple struck yet another blow, dismissing Dan Housego who edged behind to Gareth Cross for 4, with Gloucestershire floundering at 16-4.

Alex Gidman (36) and Ian Cockbain (11) were able to revive the innings with a partnership worth 45 as the new ball appeared to be loosing affect. Gidman was gaining in confidence, but Lancashire’s star-man with the bat, Newby, forced him to edge to Paul Horton with Gloucestershire on 61-5. Ian Cockbain scored 58 in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford but was only able to muster 11 runs before he was caught by Karl Brown off veteran spinner, Gary Keedy.  

Will Gidman (32) and James Fuller (43) managed to steer Gloucestershire’s run chase back in the right direction with a 55-run partnership, which frustrated Lancashire after such an easy start. The partnership ended in disappointing style with Gidman being stumped off Steven Croft. Gloucestershire had reached 130-7 after a difficult start and were still in need of something special to win the match. Ed Young assisted Fuller in the Gladiators pursuit for victory but the return of Glen Chapple was too good for the tail-ender who edged behind to Cross for just 12. All the while Fuller continued to score quickly and soon, Gloucester were no longer fighting against the run rate, but the lack of wickets in hand at 158-8.

Still requiring 23 runs for victory, the home side were reliant on James Fuller, who was running out of batting partners. John Batty gave Chapple his five-wicket haul when he was bowled for 3, as the Lancashire skipper finished with figures of 5-26. Both sides were capable of winning the match, but the regular loss of wickets caused Gloucestershire to let victory to slip away and when Ajmal Shahzad forced top scorer, Fuller, to edge behind the home side were all out for 164. Lancashire’s eighth CB40 victory has guaranteed them a semi final spot and if they can win at Essex on Thursday then they will ensure a home fixture, which could prove vital giving that they were unbeaten at home throughout this campaign.