Notts wrap-up comfortable victory over Lancashire

Notts made it four wins out of five and earned a home quarter-final tie as they beat Lancashire by seven wickets to top the B & H Northern qualifying group.

Chasing 204 the home side sped to victory inside 44 overs with captain Darren Bicknell leading the way with a splendid 89.

His opening partner Guy Welton had already collected two Gold Awards in a prolific start to this competition so Lancashire were relieved to dismiss him early on, edging Peter Martin straight into the waiting hands of Michael Atherton at first slip.

Greg Blewett and Bicknell looked relatively untroubled against the seamers as they added 50 in just 11 overs but the left-handed Bicknell had a couple of scares when Muttiah Muralitharan came into the attack. An inside edge missed the leg stump by inches as it raced to the boundary and then an attacking drive was spilled high above the bowlers head.

Nevertheless Bicknell continued to play his shots and raced to a splendid 50 (70 mins, 67 balls, 9x4's) with a thump through midwicket off Ian Austin.

Blewett looked to be getting fully into his stride as he smashed Murali and leg-spinner Chris Schofield back over their heads but paid the price for a mistimed sweep against Schofield and was adjudged lbw for 35.

With Notts well ahead of the run rate Usman Afzaal was allowed the freedom to play his shots and he quickly raced into the 30's with five sweetly timed boundaries, topped by an on--drive off Austin.

Bicknell allowed his younger partner to dominate proceedings but still managed to nudge his way to his highest B & H score for Notts before playing down the wrong line to Joe Scuderi and losing his off stump.

Paul Johnson announced his arrival at the crease with fours off Scuderi and Chapple before Afzaal reached his 50 with a pull though the leg side off the former. The next ball crashed into the boundary ropes on the opposite side of the ground to take Notts to their victory target.

Earlier Lancashire had been restricted to 203--6, with Scuderi top scoring with 73 not out but the total always looked to be inadequate.