Smith Scores Century In Lancashire’s First Victory On Tour.

Smith Scores Century In Lancashire’s First Victory On Tour.

Lancashire’s efforts in the first two

matches will have raised some

questions already and today’s game,

against the MCC Universities, in a 40

overs match, provided them with an

excellent opportunity to silence the

critics. Steven Croft was rested and so

Paul Horton took the captains duties,

as well as the opening batsmen’s role,

alongside Tom Smith. Unfortunately

for Horton, he was only able to succeed

in the former role, by winning the toss and electing to bat first, as he was out caught behind after managing to score just one run.

Thankfully though, Lancashire were able to get over this early set back and, now joined by Karl Brown, Smith set about commencing the first milestone of Lancashire’s season. At the half way stage, Smith had moved to 56 and his partner had mustered 40, with Lancashire on 107-1. Smith and Brown shared 105 runs for the second wicket partnership.

After reaching the Lightning’s first 50 of the season, Smith went one better, by reaching the first century, in an innings of 103 from 90 balls, with 10 fours and 2 sixes. Lancashire wicket-keeper, Gareth Cross, came close to a century of his own, scoring 81 from 60 balls, with 3 fours and 4 sixes. Smith and Cross put on 82 runs for the third wicket, before Smith fell, but he was aptly replaced by Kyle Hogg, who hit the ball equally as well. Cross and Hogg smashed 79 runs in six overs, with Lancashire achieving a run rate of virtually ten runs per over, for the last 10 overs of their innings, as they finished on 278-5.

In response, the MCC Universities started well, managing to avoid loosing any wickets early on in the innings, unlike their opponents. After 15 overs they were on 63-0, an impressive total that frustrated Lancashire. But the chase soon collapsed, with Stephen Parry claiming two quick wickets and Oliver Newby picking up one of his own. After 24 overs, MCC were 95-3, still requiring 184 runs for victory. But runs failed to come quick enough and another wicket for Newby and a run out saw the MCC Universities reach 148-5 after 31 overs.  Further wickets came for Kyle Hogg and Andrea Agathangelou, helped Lancashire to mount pressure on their opponents, who continued to battle against the odds. Nonetheless, Lancashire’s efforts with the bat had left the oppositions with too great a task and after 40 overs the MCC Universities score of 213-7 was insufficient, giving Lancashire a 65 run victory.

Lancashire were expected to win this game, but there is no way you can doubt the quality and tenacity that the favorites showed after consecutive defeats to Sussex and the Fly Emirates XI. Tom Smith and Gareth Cross certainly gave the Lightning their victory today, after Lancashire failed to bowl out the MCC. This is something that will hopefully improve and certainly be tested, when Lancashire play Sussex in a two day match, starting on Monday, where Lancashire will be looking to avenge their performance in the T20 match.