Defeat for Lancashire Women on return to action against Somerset
Lancashire Women fell to a five-wicket defeat against Somerset in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Emirates Old Trafford.
Match Report from Emirates Old Trafford by Joe Nuttall
Kate Cross was the standout batter for the Red Rose, scoring her first half-century of the season in gloomy batting conditions.
Lancashire fought their way to 169-9 thanks to Cross’ battling innings during a well-constructed partnership of 72 with Mahika Gaur.
Despite putting up a good fight with the ball, the Red Rose couldn’t take the final 5 wickets needed and fell to their fourth defeat of the season.
After losing the toss in unfavourable conditions, Ellie Threlkeld’s side were put into bat. They were without their usual opening pair of Emma Lamb, who has a back issue, and Eve Jones, sidelined with a shoulder injury.
That meant Alice Clarke and new overseas signing Gaby Lewis were given the task of opening the batting.
Somerset’s opening bowlers got early movement, with Mollie Robbins removing Clarke for five.
Lancashire continued to struggle against the moving ball. Ireland international Lewis was dismissed the following over, thanks to a low catch from Niamh Holland.
Yet, Red Rose built resistance. Seren Smale led the charge, hitting three boundaries on her way to a brisk 17. Together, she and Fi Morris put on 25 for the third wicket.
It was Ellie Anderson who broke the partnership, picking up the big wicket of Smale. She was bowled by a ball that jagged back in, castling her off-stump.
Wickets continued to tumble for Lancs, with Anderson having Morris caught at point. The Somerset spinners soon got in on the act, picking up three wickets.
Two of those went to Amanda-Jade Wellington. She removed the dangerous-looking Ailsa Lister, who hit three boundaries, and skipper Threlkeld. When Dani Collins was bowled in the 24th over, the home side were teetering on 69-7.
Lancashire were in trouble and needed the tail to wag. Enter, Cross and Gaur. The England duo put on 72 for the eighth wicket, guiding their side into a stronger position.
The pair batted with intent, looking to take the game to the Somerset bowlers. Gaur struck two boundaries in consecutive overs with fluid cover drives. She also hit a four over the top, taking advantage of the fact that mid-on was in the ring.
Cross was the primary aggressor. She blasted eight boundaries, including two powerful sweep shots, to steer her side towards a more imposing total.
The partnership was broken by Olivia Barnes. Gaur was the batter out, looking to turn a full ball off her pads into the leg side. Instead, she got a leading edge and looped it up to Dani Gibson in the covers.
Shortly after, the heavens opened, reducing the game to 44 overs each. Cross continued from where she left off before the delay, reaching her half-century to take Lancashire to 169.
Somerset’s opening batters, Holland and Bex Odgers, started quickly. They brought up 50 off 10.1 overs, finding the boundary eight times.
Lancashire turned to spin, with Threlkeld calling upon Sophie Morris and Hannah Jones to try and break the opening stand.
The change of pace brought about the wicket the home side wanted. Jones trapped Odgers LBW, with the left-arm spinner hitting her plum in front following an attempted reverse sweep.
This started a collapse for the visitors. Holland soon fell to Collins, having her caught behind by Threlkeld. It was a sharp grab from the Lancs wicketkeeper standing up to the stumps.
When Dani Collins dismissed Holland for a well-made 44 and the experienced Fran Wilson not long after, Lancs had three wickets and were back in the game.
The mini-collapse continued for Somerset. Cross came back after drinks and bowled Somerset captain Sophie Luff three balls later. Fi Morris also picked up a wicket.
With Somerset still 55 runs away from victory, the experience of Wellington and Gibson was needed to guide them home.
They managed to soak up the pressure after the loss of those quick wickets, keeping the run rate ticking along and finding the odd boundary. Gibson hit arguably the shot of the day, with a huge six back down the ground off Fi Morris’ bowling.
The game was won with just under 10 overs left, with Wellington sweeping Sophie Morris for four.
Lancashire are back in action on Sunday, when they take on Surrey at Beckenham.