Flintoff inspires Lancashire success

Lancashire booked a place in the last eight of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Sussex at Old Trafford.

They now face Durham on July 25. The game has been switched to Blackpool because three Robbie Williams concerts are scheduled for Old Trafford later that week.

Chief executive Jim Cumbes said: "The decision to play at Blackpool was because of the timescale involved in setting up the concerts and there has been some criticism from our members about the lack of county cricket being played on the Fylde coast in the last two seasons."

Andy Flintoff was the inspiration behind Lancashire's success today, following up his superb bowling performance yesterday when he earned 2-19 from ten overs with an unbeaten 65.

The 23-year-old powerhouse claimed the man-of-the-match award and received an accolade from coach Bob Simpson who said: "It was a great all-round performance from the team and from Freddie (Flintoff).

"He has been working hard and is going to reap the rewards. The way he generated real pace bowling into a howling wind yesterday was impressive. He realises now that you can't get by purely on talent. You have to get your head down and work and that's what he has been doing."

Flintoff is fighting to reclaim his place in the England one-day squad in time for the five-match series in Zimbabwe in October.

Sussex, trying to defend a total of 151, had little chance once he was into his stride. He reached his 50 with a six off Jason Lewry and seven fours, and added another six off Chris Adams before finishing things off with two fours in the 37th over.

Earlier Sussex had resumed at 119-7 and were bowled out in the 46th over, Mark Davis finishing with an unbeaten 30.

Pinch-hitter John Wood smashed 25 to set Lancashire on their way and when he and Mike Atherton fell within six runs of each other, Flintoff took command.