SECOND XI: Lancashire & SACA do battle in T20 double header at Farington
Lancashire Cricket’s Second XI played the first two senior games at the club’s new ground, Farington Cricket Ground, against the South Asian Cricket Academy.
The Red Rose faced SACA twice in a T20 double header which was held behind closed doors. It is the first time senior cricket has been played at Farington Cricket Ground.
A test event has recently been announced, and you can find out more information about that here.
The first game saw the away side sneak a narrow victory, whilst the second game got abandoned halfway through due to rain.
SACA batted first in the opening game. It was a good start to the powerplay for Lancs, who had the visitors three wickets down after six overs. That trio of wickets went to Tom Walker (1-26), Mitchell Stanley (1-17) and Ben Walkden, with the latter the pick of the bowlers.
Walkden finished with figures of 2-18 from his four overs, picking up a wicket off the final ball of the 10th over to leave SACA 63-5 at the halfway point. Charlie Barnard (2-24) grabbed the other wicket.
The away side fought back well, though. A gritty 69 not out from opening batter Feroze Khushi saw them get up to 129-6 from their 20 overs.
Just as SACA did, Lancs struggled in the powerplay. They lost two wickets inside those opening six overs, and a third five balls after.
When opening batter Kesh Fonseka (26) fell with one ball remaining of the eighth over, Lancs were in trouble at 47-4.
It meant Ollie Sutton (33) and Walkden (38) had a rebuilding job to do. They rescued Lancs’ innings, putting on 59 for the fifth wicket and clawing the way back into the game.
Sutton fell with 17 balls remaining, though, with Lancs still 23 runs short of the target. Despite the best efforts of Walkden and Miller Childs (9), the visitors won by seven runs.
View game one scorecard & videos here
Unfortunately, the second game was abandoned after the first innings due to poor weather.
However, the Red Rose did manage to bat for 20 overs, with Foneska starring at the top of the order. He hit 64 from 45 deliveries, including four sixes and as many fours.
As was the case in game one, wickets fell early, with four falling inside the powerplay. Fonseka steadied the ship, though, and helped rebuild the innings alongside Walkden (18).
The latter was dismissed just shy of a 50-run partnership with the opening batter, but had put Lancs in a better position, taking them from 35-4 to 81-5.
With support from Stanley and Childs, Foneska managed to drag his side up to 126 by the time he was dismissed. Lancs ended on 138-8 before the rain hit and no further play was possible.
View game two scorecard & videos here
Despite what was a testing day on the field for Lancashire, it was a significant day for the club, with Farington Cricket Ground hosting its first two games. Read more about the next test event taking place on Wednesday 8th July here.
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