da prosport bet： Gloucestershire have booked their place in a hat-trick of Lord’s finals, asthey beat Lancashire by 15 runs at Bristol on Monday
da bet vitoria： Sean Beynon29-May-2000Gloucestershire have booked their place in a hat-trick of Lord’s finals, asthey beat Lancashire by 15 runs at Bristol on Monday. Mike Smith led theGloucester charge, with figures of 4-27, as the Lancashire chased falters.The victory furthers Glouctershire’s claim to be the premier one-day side inthe country.A near capacity crowd cheered the Bristol-based side on, with a place in thefinal against Glamorgan beckoning. Despite Mike Smith’s efforts, it was RobCunliffe who earned the man of the match award, for a sparkling 71.Gloucestershire won the toss, electing to bat on a pitch which didn’t seemto have suffered any ill effects of the weekend rain. The game, of course,actually began on the reserve day, after Sunday’s effort was ruined thanksto a sodden outfield. Soon enough, openers Tim Hancock and Kim Barnett werehitting their straps. Hancock peppered the off-side boundary withregularity, whilst Barnett was dismissed just as he began to look settled.The veteran was neatly caught by Hegg, from the bowling of Peter Martin. Atthe other end, Ian Austin was his typically miserly self, bowling at acracking line and length which the batsmen could do nothing with.Chris Schofield entered the attack, and was immediately launched way overlong on, then through the covers, by an ever confident Hancock. Just asHancock looked as if he may destroy the Lancashire attack, he played a looseshot, and was well caught down the leg side by Hegg.New men Rob Cunliffe and Matt Windows kept the score moving, as theyscampered between the wickets at every opportunity. Windows was particularlysavage on anything short, cutting ferociously, whilst Cunliffe played theshot of the day, a perfectly timed off-drive. With the partnership locked on71, Windows found the bucket hands of Peter Martin at long on, dismissed fora fine 43. England all-rounder Mark Alleyne joined Cunliffe, as the boardticked at six an over. Cunliffe was rattled by a bouncer from Flintoff, thenmeekly spooned him to mid-off. It was a sad end to a very fine innings, froma player with enormous potential. In the final slog, Snape and Alleyne felllooking for runs, Alleyne for a classy 32.A target of 221 was certainly within Lancashire’s grasp. Gloucestershirewere weakened without their overseas star Ian Harvey, dubbed the finestdeath bowler in the world. Still, they were not prepared to lie down. JonLewis ripped out Mike Watkinson’s off-stump, whilst Mike Smith removed JohnCrawely’s leg peg. When Smith got rid of Andy Flintoff, to an ill-judgedpull edged onto the stumps, Gloucestershire were well on top. Mike Athertonplodded along at the other end, but was given a torrid time by Smith, whostruck him first on the finger, then on the box.Atherton and Fairbrother gave Lancashire hope, as Fairbrother used the sweepshot to great effect. Snape was in for particular punishment in his firstfew overs, and it was brave of Alleyne to keep him in the attack. Alleyne’sfaith was justified, as Snape got rid of Atherton. The off-spinner, who was(according to the speed-gun at least) varying his pace from 40-65mph, lobbedone up to Atherton who chipped it to mid-wicket. Snape picked up anotherwicket when Lloyd tried to turn to leg, trapped lbw. By now, the requiredrate was well over six.Warren Hegg, with 30, kept Lancashire’s hopes alive. At the other end,Fairbrother, who was batting with a runner, was supreme. He hit five foursand a six in his 74, which was ended by a fine catch in the deep from MattWindows. Chris Schofield played a cameo, and Ian Austin clubbed a few, butit was too little too late.Mention should be made of two others. James Averis, whose figures of 1-37betrayed a brilliant spell tarnished by two expensive overs at the death.Also, Chris Taylor. The youngster, who has played less than half a dozengames for his county, didn’t bat or bowl. But he scampered round theoutfield, fielding with enthusiasm that personified this, truly excellentGloucestershire team.
