Progress report: Luis Reece

Lancashire’s Luis Reece has taken Western Australia by storm this winter and is currently the leading wicket-taker in the WADCC Alcohol.Think Again First Grade Cricket Competition.

Reece is playing grade-level cricket for Gosnells in a semi-professional competition below first-class Australian cricket and, despite being renowned for his abilities with the bat, the 24-year-old has taken 56 wickets in 14 matches, 14 more than any other bowler in the league.

His formidable tally received a significant boost in Gosnells recent win over Wanneroo Districts CC to go sixth in the league, when Reece claimed figures of 7-47 and 7-61 respectively.

Match figures of 14 wickets for 108 runs inspired Gosnells to a six-wicket victory in round 14 of the campaign and Reece also made a telling contribution with the bat as he scored 51 in Gosnells first innings.

Reece’s first-innings figures of 7-47 helped reduce Wanneroo to 99 all out and, although he claimed another seven wickets in the second innings, they managed a more respectable total of 218.

Reece said: "I’ve gone to the Sunshine State a couple of times, so I understand that going to a new club that you’re going to be nervous. Everyone at Gosnells has treated me quite well and I’ve fitted in nicely.

“The wickets are completely different. Over here it has its little challenges. The ball’s different, you know you've just got to get used to conditions of playing in the heat."

Reece and his Lancashire teammates struggled to contribute regular performances with the bat last season and the left-handed opener managed only 262 runs in 17 innings as Lancashire were relegated. This was disappointing for Reece, who had received praise for his form in 2013 after scoring 722 runs at an average of 55.54 in Division Two. 

Reece scored a mere 262 runs last season after an outstanding breakthrough season in 2013

Somerset-born Reece had previously claimed seven wickets in an innings before Gosnells match against Wanneroo. The first of these came against Subiaco Floreat where he claimed 7-47.

However, his most impressive figures to date were claimed against Bayswater Morley, as Reece returned figure of 7-29 as Gosnells won the match by an innings.

The Lancashire all-rounder gave his best performance with the bat in the sixth round where he scored 113 and his half-century against Wanneroo was his highest score since then.

Reece added his intentions to represent Lancashire in more than just the four-day game in 2015 and hopes that he can give performances worthy of the international suggestions which cropped-up after his superb breakthrough season.

He said:"Hopefully I can play all forms back home in the County stuff, if you put in some consistent performances you never know. I still have international goals, which I want to realise, I’ve got to be consistent and turn in the big performances."

Reece’s stats for Gosnells so far…

Round 1 - Willeton - 37*, 2-13,

Round 2 - Midland-Guildford - 33, 1-19,

Round 3 - Joondalup - 11, 3-28

Round 4 – South Perth - 1, 1-50

Round 5 – Perth CC - 3, 0-68

Round 6 – Scarborough – 113, 3-40 & 1-13

Round 7 – Rockingham-Mandurah – 29, 1-39 & 0-33

Round 8 – Mount Lawley District CC  - 44, 4-30 & 0-34

Round 9 - Claremont-Nedlands – 6, 1-32

Round 10 – Fremantle – 38, 3-17

Round 11 – Melville – 17, 2-26

Round 12 – Subiaco Floreat CC – 3 & 6, 3-20 & 7-47

Round 13 – Bayswater Morley – 30, 7-29 & 3-28

Round 14 – Wanneroo Districts – 51 & 0*, 7-47 & 7-61

Luis Reece - current averages…

Batting: 422 runs @ 30.14

Bowling: 56 wickets @ 12.04

England humiliated as Australia command World Cup opener

Finch blasted an impressive century as England suffered an embarrassing defeat in their World Cup opener.

Australia dominated proceedings as they cruised to a 111-run victory against a sorry England outfit who made just 231 in their chase of Australia's mammoth total of 342/9.

Aaron Finch launched the tournament favourites towards a monolithic score as the big-hitting opener made 135 after England had won the toss and decided to field first. Contributions from the in-form Glenn Maxwell (66) and skipper George Bailey (55) compounded England's misery.

James Taylor's highest score in ODI cricket of 98 not out sparked late controversy after he had been judged to be the final England wicket to fall lbw to Josh Hazlewood and, despite successfully overturning the umpire's decision, the ball was deemed to not be dead and Anderson was run out to deny Taylor the opportunity to reach a maiden century. 

England's innings capitulated in front of a packed crowd at the MCG, one which witnessed an impressive display from Mitchell Marsh on his World Cup debut, as the young seam bowler claimed 5-33 to dismiss the majority of England's top order. Steven Finn continues to be England's leading light with the ball returning figures of 5-71, but a top score of 98 from Taylor was not enough as England were humiliated on cricket's biggest stage.

England were outplayed in all aspects by their hosts. Australia were dynamic in the field, ruthless against England's below-par bowling attack and their own bowling attack was several classes above where it needed to be to defeat an abject opponent.

The visitors started with intent and were rewarded for their application as Stuart Broad claimed wickets in successive deliveries to remove David Warner (22) and Shane Watson for a golden duck with the score at 57/2.

With most of Australia's batsmen currently enjoying some sort of devastating form with the bat, every wicket was vital for England, but none more so than that of Steve Smith who was bowled by Chris Woakes for 5. 

Maxwell added to England's misery.

Having pegged Australia back to 70/3, England seemed to be up for the fight, but the brute force of Finch and Maxwell was too good for England's bowling attack and complimented by another superb one-day innings from captain Bailey. The lack of a frontline spinner to negate this threat through the middle overs came back to hurt England as Moeen Ali suffered a wicketless spell of nine overs for 60 runs.

Finch and Bailey added 146 for the fourth-wicket partnership as England toiled in the field, before Finn came back in to the attack to give England some hope. A superb knock from Finch was the highlight of the innings and the opening batsman went on to reach his sixth ODI century in 102 deliveries.

He continued to accelerate before he was run out for 135, but Maxwell assumed the role of the aggressor adding a 30-ball fifty with three consecutive boundaries. The innings finished on a bittersweet tone for England as Finn claimed a hat trick with the final three deliveries, but the damage had been done and Australia coasted to the finish line as Taylor and Chris Woakes salvaged a shred of pride after England's top order once again failed to deliver. 

Ali recognised the urgency of England's situation and the early pressure of the scoreboard forced him into playing a rash shot, but Ian Bell continued his recent form with an impressive display of typically off-side stroke play. 

Gary Ballance (10) was promoted to number three and also appeared to be in good touch, but he found Finch at short mid-wicket after he had only just been moved by Bailey into this fielding position - such was England's lack of fortune. The man who he demoted, James Taylor, finished England's spirited innings as top scorer, something which England may have to rectify before their next game against New Zealand on Thursday.

England batting collapses border on cliche in recent times, a sad reality that may have made it easier to see England outplayed by every stretch of the imagination, for the first half of their run chase at least. All of the talk prior to this game had centred around a certain Mitchell Johnson, but the vast majority of people were watching the wrong Mitchell as his namesake, Marsh, stunned England with figures of five wickets for 15 runs inside seven overs. 

The visitors slumped to 92/6 as Marsh followed-up his dismissal of Ballance by claiming the more prized wicket of Bell (36), who was unfortunate to pick out Mitchell Starc in the deep with the score at 66/3.

It is possible that even at this early stage with the required run rate already approaching eight runs per over that English heads had dropped and their confidence continued to take hit after brutal hit as Marsh and his Australian colleagues gave an unforgiving performance on home soil. 

Marsh claimed wickets in successive deliveries to remove Joe Root for five, but one of the biggest concerns in the England side at present, the form of captain Eoin Morgan, continued to be an issue as he was removed for his fourth duck in five innings thanks to an impressive catch from Brad Haddin. 

Taylor's efforts were in vain as England
suffered a humbling defeat.

An even more superb effort in the field came from Smith, who held onto a fierce strike from Jos Buttler (10) as Marsh collected his fifth wicket. Having already admitted defeat, Taylor and Woakes doubled England's score with a 92-run stand for the seventh-wicket partnership as the visitors redeemed a modicum of respect. 

Taylor made his fifth ODI half-century in 61 deliveries with an emphatic six off Marsh and Woakes complimented his batting partner with the patient addition of 37 before he skied a Johnson delivery to Smith. Broad followed for a first-ball duck with the score at 194/8 as Taylor continued to prove why he is England's most dangerous batsman in recent times.

Johnson collected his second wicket when Finn (1) chipped an innocuous delivery back to the fast bowler, but Anderson was defiant as he attempted to assist Taylor towards a maiden century. 

But, in a cruel twist of fate, Taylor fell two runs shy of this milestone, not because he had been trapped lbw by Hazlewood in the 42nd over, but because the umpires, after a lengthy discussion, decided that the ball was still live and that Anderson had been run out, as England's disappointing innings was ended in the most disheartening fashion. 

Magical 2014 secures captaincy for Smith

It wasn't the season Lancashire were hoping for. Their return to the top-flight of English cricket lasted just one year with only a handful of positives to be drawn from a disappointing year.

One such positive, however, was that of Tom Smith, who secured the hearts and admiration of the Lancashire faithful in a season which will have done no harm to his recent appointment as club captain.

Born in Liverpool in 1985, Smith was one of many talented players to come through the Lancashire academy and since then he has become one of the most dedicated servants the club has ever seen. His performances across all three formats of the game, all-round status and consistency meant that last year, there was sparsely a game where his name was not mentioned.

From the very first game of the 2014 season, Smith made his mark with bat and ball and it became apparent rather quickly that he was going to be a key figure in Lancashire's battle for survival. The season began with a narrow defeat at Nottinghamshire, a game in which Smith scored 45 not out and 76. He then claimed 5-53 to give his side a small chance of achieving victory in the season curtain-raiser.

Despite his efforts, and that of Ashwell Prince who scored 100 in Lancashire's chase of 349, the visitors were beaten and this established an unfortunate precedent for Lancashire who became accustomed to the aforementioned Smith and Prince for the provision of contributions with bat and ball.

Smith is celebrated by his Lancashire teammates for his efforts with the ball.

In Lancashire's first victory of the County Championship campaign, Smith made his second fifty of the season in a low-scoring game at Northamptonshire, a match which was also significant due to the input of a certain James Anderson, who claimed match figures of 10-89.

Smith added three wickets and 49 runs in a rain-affected draw at home to Sussex, before Lancashire suffered a resounding 10-wicket defeat against Middlesex, a game which saw the all-rounder score 59 in Lancashire's first innings.

The Natwest t20 Blast campaign kicked-off earlier than usual on a cold evening in mid May as Lancashire began their incredible and consequently heart-wrenching journey to Finals Day at Edgbaston. 

Smith's role at the top of the order was a vital component of Lancashire's success last year as he continued to make important contributions to the Lightning's many successes in the group stages.

A memorable performance at home to Worcestershire secured Lancashire their first victory of the campaign as Smith bludgeoned 74 in 53 deliveries to earn the Lightning a narrow 12-run victory in their second game of the campaign.

Sandwiched between a plethora of t20 cricket was a Roses match in the County Championship, one which Lancashire could have gone on to win, but rain was once again their enemy. Smith's third half-century in red-ball cricket and figures of 5-49 were in vain as the eventual and deserved County Champions earned a draw at Headingley. 

Lancashire secured four t20 victories on the bounce before Yorkshire paid a visit to Emirates Old Trafford, ending the Lightning's run of success thanks to a devastating performance from Australian batsman Aaron Finch. Smith was key in Lancashire's innings as he went on to equal the record for the club's fastest fifty in the format, reaching his half-century in 22 balls, as he helped his side to what seemed to be a winning score of 179-6.

Smith receives a standing ovation for his 22-ball fifty against Yorkshire.

Smith continued to make all-round contributions in Lancashire's County Championship campaign, scoring his fourth half-century and claiming 3-50 in a draw against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. This was another game where Lancashire were rewarded with a draw despite finishing in the ascendancy, as their hosts collapsed to 86-5 on the final day before the players shook hands.

Lancashire returned to winning ways in the shortest format of the game as Smith made another half-century at the top of the order to sink Leicestershire at Old Trafford and just over a week later, Smith made his highest score of the season against Northamptonshire in a resounding County Championship victory.

Smith's score of 79 was albeit overshadowed by Prince and recently appointed vice-captain, Steven Croft, who made history with a record-breaking partnership. Both batsmen made their highest first-class scores in Lancashire's innings and 200-run victory, a game which saw the South-African reach 257 not out as he guided the hosts to 650/6.

Lancashire's bittersweet season continued as emphatic t20 victories alternated with disappointment in the County Championship. The inception of the 50-over campaign was not a happy one for the Lightning who suffered convincing defeats at home to Yorkshire and Hampshire, as their success in the shortest format of the game remained to be their only cause for optimism.

Frustration ensued as rain forced their quarter final match with Glamorgan to be taken to the reserve day, but when the rain eventually stopped the Lightning progressed to Finals Day with a one-run victory courtesy of an inspired spell of bowling from Jordan Clark, who claimed a triple-wicket maiden to take Lancashire to Edgbaston. 

Smith celebrates as Lancashire achieve a nail-biting victory against Glamorgan.

Smith's most telling contribution of the season came in a four-day game against Durham where Lancashire achieved their third and final win in the format. The Lancashire all-rounder had initially made a positive impact for the hosts with figures of 5-45 in Durham's first innings before a contribution of 35 not out became one of Lancashire's most memorable performances with the bat all season.

Such a score would not normally be revered as much, but in the context of Lancashire's fight for survival and indeed the circumstances in which they secured victory, Smith's innings was simply incredible. Lancashire had been set 107 to win in 36 overs on the fourth day at Old Trafford, a total which seemed to be more than within their capabilities. With two balls and one wicket intact, Smith and Simon Kerrigan secured a rare victory for Lancashire after they had slumped to 36/5 and 90/9 in their second innings. 

Kerrigan and Smith leave the field after securing a vital victory for Lancashire.

Lancashire's hopes for securing a maiden t20 trophy were shattered in late August at Edgbaston, but Smith continued to make his mark claiming 2-30 in the final, which the Lightning went on to lose by four runs despite some late antics by none other than Andrew Flintoff.

Their relegation battle ended on a similarly disappointing tone, as Lancashire suffered an innings defeat at home to rivals Yorkshire. Smith, once again, did his best to help Lancashire avoid this defeat, scoring 53 in the hosts first innings, but Adam Lyth and his Yorkshire teammates were simply too good. 

Lancashire took the matter of relegation to the final day of the season, a position which could not have been achieved without the input of Smith. After suffering a seven-wicket defeat away at Sussex, Lancashire needed to achieve a rare victory at home to Middlesex if they were to stay in Division One. Unfortunately, Smith and Lancashire fell comfortably short in their televised fixture at Old Trafford and a draw resigned the Red Rose to successive relegations. 

And so, a disappointing season came to a close. It may not have been a season to remember for Lancashire, but in the personal development of Tom Smith, it most certainly was and as the captain of Lancashire Smith must now lead his side in their quest to return to the top-flight of English cricket.

Smith appointed Lancashire captain

Lancashire have appointed all-rounder Tom Smith as their new captain ahead of the 2015 season.

The 29-year-old was Lancashire's Player of the Season in 2014, claiming 54 wickets at an average of 20.46. He also made several important contributions with the bat, accumulating 773 runs and seven half-centuries, but saw his side relegated to Division Two.

Smith replaces club veteran Glen Chapple, who is expected to fulfil a player-coach role alongside the recently appointed Ashley Giles who is now the club's Head Coach and Director of Cricket.

Croft - new vice-captain.

With this news comes the revelation that fellow all-rounder Steven Croft will be vice-captain at Lancashire, rewarding the 30-year-old for a similarly dedicated service to the Red Rose county.

Croft enjoyed a resurgence in form last season, finishing top of Lancashire's batting averages after scoring 786 runs in 12 games. The Blackpool-born all-rounder is an important figure in Lancashire's one-day set-up, bowling economical off-spin to add to his usefulness and potentially devastating impact with the bat.

Reflecting on his appointment as club captain, Smith said: "I was lucky enough to have a meeting with Ashley and he offered me the job. I was over the moon. It's not every day you get to captain your boyhood club that you've grown up with and it's truly a great honour.

"It is a dream to captain Lancashire, it is a massive club, it is the club I grew up watching as a kid. My idols have all played here and now to walk out onto the pitch as the club captain it is a moment ever Lancashire lad dreams of.

"When the opportunity comes it is one you take with both hands. I just can't wait now to get started. I have a great support network around me here at the club and I trust all the players here implicitly and I know they will back me whatever decision I make. I hope that Ash (Giles) and I can now start a period of success for Lancashire."