Brown scores century in losing cause

Karl Brown recorded a career-best score of 129, but Lancashire were beaten comfortably by Yorkshire Vikings in their inaugural match of the Royal London One-Day Cup by 47 runs.

The hosts posted 324-7, the highest List A total Lancashire have ever conceded at Old Trafford and this total proved to be too much for the hosts despite a superb innings from Brown, as the hosts were bowled out for 277.

Kane Williamson (70) and Alex Lees (66) led Yorkshire’s efforts with the bat, sharing 82 runs for the second-wicket partnership after Adam Lyth had struck 46 from 35 balls.

Lancashire struck a much-needed breakthrough to remove Lyth with the score at 69/1, but Williamson proved to be in fine touch for Yorkshire as the New Zealander struck a 66-ball fifty.

Lees also played a good innings for his side, recording his highest one-day score for Yorkshire before he was caught on the long-on boundary. Captain Andrew Gale added 38 and Tim Bresnan stuck a quick-fire 32 to ensure that the visitors posted a daunting target.

In reply, Lancashire’s start was far from ideal, as they stumbled to 57/3. Alex Davies in particular struggled in the early stages of the innings, making just 20 off 46. His struggle to find runs also forced pressure onto the likes of Usman Khawaja (22) and Ashwell Prince (10), who otherwise seemed in good touch.

Brown and Paul Horton (38) led the recovery with a 103-run partnership for the fourth-wicket as they slowly pulled Lancashire back in to contention. The pair batted superbly, but the task put before them was overwhelming and their resistance was eventually broken in unfortunate circumstances.

Horton was caught backing up too far at the non-strikers end and the bowler, Richard Pyrah, tipped the ball onto the stumps to end a resilient partnership. From that moment on, it became a single-handed effort from Brown, who played an entertaining innings including nine fours and two sixes.

Brown recorded only his third century for Lancashire in just 82 balls, but once he was bowled by Jack Brooks the result was beyond doubt, leading to the loss of six wickets for 64 runs.

There is certainly room for improvement for Lancashire in all three components based on today’s performance, but the hosts can take comfort from the fact that they were beaten comfortably in their first Twenty20 match of the season and finished top of the North Group.