Gloucestershire book place in Lord's final

Gloucestershire have booked their place in a hat-trick of Lord's finals, as they beat Lancashire by 15 runs at Bristol on Monday. Mike Smith led the Gloucester charge, with figures of 4-27, as the Lancashire chased falters. The victory furthers Glouctershire's claim to be the premier one-day side in the country.

A near capacity crowd cheered the Bristol-based side on, with a place in the final against Glamorgan beckoning. Despite Mike Smith's efforts, it was Rob Cunliffe who earned the man of the match award, for a sparkling 71.

Gloucestershire won the toss, electing to bat on a pitch which didn't seem to have suffered any ill effects of the weekend rain. The game, of course, actually began on the reserve day, after Sunday's effort was ruined thanks to a sodden outfield. Soon enough, openers Tim Hancock and Kim Barnett were hitting their straps. Hancock peppered the off-side boundary with regularity, whilst Barnett was dismissed just as he began to look settled. The veteran was neatly caught by Hegg, from the bowling of Peter Martin. At the other end, Ian Austin was his typically miserly self, bowling at a cracking line and length which the batsmen could do nothing with.

Chris Schofield entered the attack, and was immediately launched way over long on, then through the covers, by an ever confident Hancock. Just as Hancock looked as if he may destroy the Lancashire attack, he played a loose shot, and was well caught down the leg side by Hegg.

New men Rob Cunliffe and Matt Windows kept the score moving, as they scampered between the wickets at every opportunity. Windows was particularly savage on anything short, cutting ferociously, whilst Cunliffe played the shot of the day, a perfectly timed off-drive. With the partnership locked on 71, Windows found the bucket hands of Peter Martin at long on, dismissed for a fine 43. England all-rounder Mark Alleyne joined Cunliffe, as the board ticked at six an over. Cunliffe was rattled by a bouncer from Flintoff, then meekly spooned him to mid-off. It was a sad end to a very fine innings, from a player with enormous potential. In the final slog, Snape and Alleyne fell looking for runs, Alleyne for a classy 32.

A target of 221 was certainly within Lancashire's grasp. Gloucestershire were weakened without their overseas star Ian Harvey, dubbed the finest death bowler in the world. Still, they were not prepared to lie down. Jon Lewis ripped out Mike Watkinson's off-stump, whilst Mike Smith removed John Crawely's leg peg. When Smith got rid of Andy Flintoff, to an ill-judged pull edged onto the stumps, Gloucestershire were well on top. Mike Atherton plodded along at the other end, but was given a torrid time by Smith, who struck him first on the finger, then on the box.

Atherton and Fairbrother gave Lancashire hope, as Fairbrother used the sweep shot to great effect. Snape was in for particular punishment in his first few overs, and it was brave of Alleyne to keep him in the attack. Alleyne's faith was justified, as Snape got rid of Atherton. The off-spinner, who was (according to the speed-gun at least) varying his pace from 40-65mph, lobbed one up to Atherton who chipped it to mid-wicket. Snape picked up another wicket when Lloyd tried to turn to leg, trapped lbw. By now, the required rate was well over six.

Warren Hegg, with 30, kept Lancashire's hopes alive. At the other end, Fairbrother, who was batting with a runner, was supreme. He hit five fours and a six in his 74, which was ended by a fine catch in the deep from Matt Windows. Chris Schofield played a cameo, and Ian Austin clubbed a few, but it was too little too late.

Mention should be made of two others. James Averis, whose figures of 1-37 betrayed a brilliant spell tarnished by two expensive overs at the death. Also, Chris Taylor. The youngster, who has played less than half a dozen games for his county, didn't bat or bowl. But he scampered round the outfield, fielding with enthusiasm that personified this, truly excellent Gloucestershire team.