Sussex Sharks VI vs Lancashire VI

Sussex Sharks VI vs Lancashire VI: Match Report

In the penultimate game for both teams in the BCEW National League Division 1 the Sharks hosted Lancashire at Blackstone on Saturday 17th August. 

Lancashire skipper Sheraz Chohan called correctly and invited the Sharks to set a  total knowing that a win was essential to keep the Sharks’ title aspirations alive.

The Lancastrians opened bowling very disciplined lines and restricted the Sharks to just 53 for 1 off the first 10 overs. 

At the fall of the second wicket, Dan Field looked to press the accelerator and the score had jumped to around 140 by the end of the 20th over. 

With the boundaries flowing Dan’s innings came to an unfortunate end after he got into a terrible tangle and was stumped off the bowling of Arslan Sabir (2-29), scoring 72 off just 47 balls. 

This was the signal for Si Ledwith to open his shoulders and his 69 not out off 47 balls propelled the Sharks to 228-3 when they declared their innings at the end of the 27th over.

With Sussex needing the win and Lancashire desperate for points to avoid relegation, it was clear from the early overs that Lancashire were going to look to bat out the draw and the Sharks were going to set attacking fields to try and get wickets. 

Totally blind Shoaib Nazir looked to push the field back and his 24 off 29 took Lancashire to 44 before the loss of the 2nd wicket, sparking a mini collapse, Lancs slipped to 50 for 4 and then 81 for 6. 

Former Pakistan International Shahzeb Haider was holding the innings together his 43 off 51 balls was a masterclass of defending the good deliveries and mercilessly punishing the bad ball. 

The Sharks kept chipping away at the other end and 2 spectacular catches from Totally Blind Dave Daniels off his son Phil Daniels kept doubt in the Lancs batters mind that any soft defensive shot was going to be gobbled up by the very close fielders. 

The overs were slipping away, and it looked like Lancs just might salvage a result. 

When Phil trapped Shahzeb plum in front the 8th wicket fell, and the win looked on again. 

With just 17 balls left to defend a full straight ball from Dan Field trapped young Lewis Kurucz in front and Lancashire were all out for 136. 

In the end, the Sharks had bagged a 92-run victory to keep them top of Division 1.#

Report provided by Ian Morris