Lancashire Vs. Essex YB40.

Lancashire exit to belligerent Essex.

Tom Smith made 97 but Lancs
were unable to chase 298.

Despite winning six consecutive YB40 matches, Lancashire suffered a heavy defeat to a vastly superior Essex Eagles side, ending their campaign on a somber tone.

Lancashire’s chase began well thanks to a thumping effort from Tom Smith, which saw the opener add 97, but the hosts lost their last eight wickets for 41 runs.

The visitors won the toss and capitalised on a beautiful batting pitch at Emirates Old Trafford, posting 297-4, their highest List A score on this ground in 21 years.

A ruthless 130 from Ravi Bopara set-up a complex chase for Lancashire, who knew that only a win would secure promotion. Bopara was ably supported by Greg Smith as they shared a 159-run stand for the second wicket, following the early departure of Gautam Gambhir.

Bopara, who made the highest ever score by an Essex player at this ground, raced to his century from 91 balls putting Essex in a commanding position as they too sought to qualify from Group B.

Further contributions from Ryan ten Doeschate, who was unbeaten on 46 from 23 balls, reduced Lancashire’s hopes, posting a score approaching 300.

The hosts began well, keeping ahead of the required run rate and indeed Essex’s score at respective stages of the game, posting a power play score 56-0.

A first-wicket stand worth 79 set-up the chase, with Stephen Moore falling for 29 as he was the first of three wickets to be taken by Reece Topley.

An equally useful stand between Smith and Paul Horton worth 95 for the third wicket kept Lancashire in with a chance, but runs proved harder to come by as the innings developed.

Tim Phillips ripped through Lancashire’s lower-middle order claiming figures of 5-42 from 7.4 overs as Lancashire were quickly eliminated from this tie, which sees neither side qualify.