Lancashire romp to easy victory over Middlesex

Lancashire Lightning finally broke their duck in the Norwich Union League with a comprehensive victory over the Middlesex Crusaders at Old Trafford. They totally outplayed their London visitors, the winning hit coming with over 16 overs to spare, and it is perhaps surprising that with such a dominating display by Lancashire that they have recently struggled at the one-day game that was once so much their forte.

The explosive hitting of Andrew Flintoff and Glen Chapple set up the victory. Flintoff clubbed 40 from just 28 balls, including two huge sixes straight down the ground. He was stumped looking for another six off Phil Tufnell who had conceded 15 from his opening over. Chapple, meanwhile, went on to complete his second consecutive 50 in the NUL in 43 deliveries before being well caught by the tumbling Ben Hutton at deep mid on.

Calmly and assuredly, John Crawley and Neil Fairbrother knocked off the arrears and Crawley's beautifully timed six to win the game put the perfect seal on his team's performance.

Flintoff's innings followed a useful bowling stint, when along with spin wizard Muralitharan and leggie Chris Schofield they had collectively reined in the Middlesex batsmen after a runaway start by Andrew Strauss and Ben Hutton.

Just as Lancashire had caused mayhem in the first 15 overs, so too did Middlesex with an opening partnership of 64 in just over 10 overs. But a total of 184 for 9 was way below par after Strauss and Hutton cut, drove and pulled with panache, a distressed John Wood removed from the attack with figures of 0 for 27 from just 3 overs.

Flintoff, though was getting some response from the pitch, Strauss hurried into directing a catch to Crawley and then both Nash and Cook were beaten for pace.

Both the spinners found turn, Muralitharan captured the key wicket of New Zealand Test captain Fleming and Schofield deceived the dangerous Hutton for 44 and Robin Weston. Chapple also produced a fine all round performance with the wickets of Roseberry, Weekes and Hewitt.