Middlesex spoil Flintoff's comeback
A round-up of all the action for the latest National League matches
Cricinfo staff
24-Apr-2005
Division One
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Andrew Flintoff's return was not enough for Lancashire as they lost to Middlesex by 69 runs at Lord's. There was a fine fightback from Middlesex, who were reduced to 37 for 6 after incisive bowling from James Anderson, Dominic Cork and Sajid Mahmood. Jamie Dalrymple led the recovery with 81 from 82 balls and received good support from Chad Keegan (26) and Alan Richardson (21 not out) as Middlesex totalled 210 for 9. Lancashire got off to a shaky start as Keegan dismissed Stuart Law and Mal Loye in the same over. When Flintoff fell lbw to Scott Styris they subsided as the required run rate climbed.
Northamptonshire completed a hardworking nine-run win over Gloucestershire thanks to a tight allround bowling performance. Usman Afzaal (48) and David Sales (47) laid the foundation for Northants's 202 for 7 and a quickfire 32 from 20 balls from Damien Wright boosted the target. Gloucestershire were reduced to 62 for 4 and despite Alex Gidman's 71 they could not quite reach their target.
Division Two
Yorkshire comfortably overhauled Somerset's 209 for 9 after an aggressive 84 from Phil Jaques off just 78 balls. He received excellent support from Michael Lumb (57) in a third wicket stand of 84, which saw them most of the way towards the five-wicket victory. Tim Bresnan was the pick of the Yorkshire attack with 4-25.
Surrey collapsed to a crushing 138-run defeat at the hands of Durham as they folded for 86. Liam Plunkett and Dale Benkenstein grabbed four wickets each. Benkenstein had a fine allround match, sharing a 100-run stand with Gordon Muchall (70 from 64 balls) for the fifth wicket to lift Durham to 224 for 8.
Sussex held their nerve to secure a two-run win against Derbyshire. Duckworth-Lewis had amended Derbyshire's target to 205 and despite Graeme Welch smashing 41 from 24 balls they couldn't quite get over the line. An opening stand of 118 between Ian Ward (54) and Matt Prior (74) gave Sussex the launching pad for their 254 for 8.
Kent were five runs ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis target when rain ended their match against Leicestershire. Martin van Jaarsveld (69 not out) completed a great week, following his twin Championship centuries, after Dinesh Mongia (62) top-scored for Leicestershire on his county debut.