Parry completes stunning victory for Lancashire.

Parry completes stunning victory for Lancashire. 

Stephen Parry's figures of 5-17 were a vital
part of Lancashire's victory versus Surrey.

Left-arm spinner Stephen Parry claimed figures 5-17 as Lancashire clinched their first Yorkshire Bank victory of the season in entertaining fashion. Karl Brown's score of 80 gave the hosts a score to bowl at and, without this effort, Lancashire would have been treading water. But with the help of Wayne White (4-35), Lancashire's extensive spin armoury tightened their grip on the game, to seal a thoroughly deserved victory by seven runs.

The game was far from comfortable for Lancashire, who found themselves 89-6 after they had been put into bat by Surrey's captain Gareth Batty. Simon Katich had initially been assigned as the hosts captain, but a back spasm meant that Paul Horton took this responsibility. Both Stephen Moore and Ashwell Prince failed to make any impact at the top of the order and when Steven Croft was removed cheaply, Lancashire found themselves 25-3.

The middle-order failed to provide support to Brown, with the next highest scorer at this stage being Gareth Cross who managed just 15. But Brown struck ten boundaries in his innings, including a six, which saw him reach a 56-ball fifty. Upon his return to Manchester, Gary Keedy claimed White with his very fist ball, but Batty's spin proved to be the difference as he finished with 3-35.

Brown's presence alone gave Lancashire limited hope of achieving the impossible, but in the end this was all they needed. Their resilience has been the key to success this season and they proved to be defiant once more in the face of adversity. Accompanied by Parry (23), Brown was able to see Lancashire through their full forty overs, but the formers primary role in this encounter was yet to come.

By setting the visitors 177, Lancashire had given themselves a chance and although they would have to bowl out of their skin to win, this is exactly what they would do. But for a long time the game appeared to be heading Surrey's way, as the visitors cruised to 60-0, thanks in large to Steve Davies who was finally bowled by Parry for 36. By removing Surrey's first four batsmen, Parry soon became the key figure in Lancashire's bid for victory, bowling two crucial maidens from his allocation of eight overs.

He was supported valiantly by fellow spinners, Simon Kerrigan and Steven Croft who proved economical under the circumstances, but in the end it was White who offered the next best effort with the ball, as he ended with flattering figures for comparatively questionable bowling.

Joined by the skipper, Zander de Bruyn attempted to restore the innings back into Surrey's favour as he top scored with 37. The pair mustered a 44-run partnership, but when both were removed in quick succession by White, victory seemed light years away.

A tense finale gave the home fans an uncomfortable spell of viewing as the Surrey tail-end refused to exit quietly. John Lewis struck a six to tip the scales, but perhaps, even more significantly, Surrey were awarded six runs due to Lancashire's slow over rate.

The crowd were, in large, disgusted by Jade Dernbach's constant time wasting, but for those who felt so, they will feel justice was done when he was removed with the final ball of the innings, as Surrey were all out for 169.

Lancashire were far from their best today, but thanks to Brown and Parry, they have achieved their first victory of the campaign and will hope to do the same at Hampshire on Wednesday. Surrey's once star-studded team now appears distinctly short of experience, with the departure of Graeme Smith leaving a void in their squad.