Martin stakes England place claim (22 April 1998)

22 April 1998

Martin stakes England place claim

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

PETER Martin has England in his sight after another match-winning display for Lancashire.

The Accrington-born fast bowler took 4-22 to steer Dav Whatmore's side to an opening Axa Life League win over Sussex Sharks in the day-night spectacle at Hove.

Martin, who finished the leading wicket-taker in Sunday league cricket last term, carried on where he left off to pip Andy Flintoff to the man-of-the-match award - and now wants to pick up his stuttering international career.

After starring for England in the one-day competition success in Sharjah, he was ignored for the tour of West Indies, but knows good early-season form will give the selectors a nudge for the three limited overs clashes with South Africa in May.

"It took a while to get going," said the 29-year-old. "But I felt good and it was an important win for us. Obviously I'd love to play for England again, but all I can do is take wickets for Lancashire and hope that's enough." Chasing Lancashire's 201-6, Sussex made a hesitant start, but a half-century from Liverpool-born Jamie Carpenter and 48 from Keith Greenfield took the home side to the brink of victory - before Martin's intervention sparked a collapse.

The Old Trafford club also relied on the experience of Glen Chapple, who weighed in with 2-33, and Sussex lost three wickets for three runs to hand Lancashire a 10-run triumph.

England A star Flintoff had carried Dav Whatmore's men to a respectable total with a brilliant run-a-ball 62, including two sixes in the final over of their innings, and he was given vital support from wicket-keeper Warren Hegg, who hit 31.

Coach Whatmore said: "It was great to win such a tight game, especially because we were missing so many key players. The lads who came in did a good job and it's important to get this winning habit as early as possible."

Lancashire were without the injured Mike Atherton, Neil Fairbrother and Ian Austin, and all are touch-and-go for the first Old Trafford Championship clash with Middlesex tomorrow.

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)