Storms seal Yorkshire's victory

Yorkshire 310 for 5 (Sayers 132, McGrath 106) beat Lancashire 140 for 9 by 156 runs - D/L method
Scorecard

In weather more suited to Sheffield than Sharjah the most surreal Roses match in recent memory was decided by the Duckworth/Lewis method after torrential rain forced the players from the field for Yorkshire to be pronounced comfortable 156-run winners.

The victory ensured Yorkshire finished third in the pre-season Pro Arch Trophy event and, as if to rub salt in their rival's wounds, it emerged later that Lancashire's new skipper, 34-year-old Glen Chapple, may be sidelined for a fortnight after collecting a hamstring injury.

Lancashire's pursuit of Yorkshire's mammoth total of 310 for 5, built around hundreds from Anthony McGrath and Joe Sayers, was already on the ropes when torrential a storm with lightning called a halt to the contest.

Sayers and McGrath shared a second-wicket stand of 237 - a tournament record - to heap pressure on Lancashire whose best riposte came from Stephen Parry with 3 for 44 from eight overs. Lancashire coach Peter Moores remained phlegmatic afterwards saying: "We can have no complaints, they were just better than us on the day."

Having been forced to field first after losing the toss, Lancashire made the best of starts when Steven Cheetham had Andrew Gale caught at mid-on by Chapple in the first over.

But Sayers and his skipper McGrath then rode their luck, both enjoying a life, to go on and bat Lancashire out of the game. McGrath, dropped on 84, raced to three figures off 97 balls with 10 fours and three sixes then immediately afterwards Sayers, who was reprieved on 78, posted his maiden limited-overs century from 123 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

Steven Mullaney eventually sent McGrath packing before Parry dismissed Sayers, yet Yorkshire still had power to add through Tim Bresnan's quick-fire 40.

Within six overs of their reply Lancashire were deep in trouble on 18 for 2 after losing Kyle Hogg and a fit-again Mal Loye. Adrian Shankar followed them back to the pavilion soon after, and when Tom Smith came to the crease in place of Chapple, Lancashire were 69 for 5 and already down and virtually out.

Steve Patterson and David Wainwright picked up two wickets apiece and were gunning for more when the game was abandoned after 37 overs. Commenting on Chapple's injury, Moores added: "He has got a tear in his hamstring we think, but we don't know how bad it is. It could be a niggle or it could be something slightly more serious.

"He will have a scan when we get back to England. He will face some time out, but how long that is going to be remains to be seen."