Derbyshire’s bowlers, led by Pat Brown’s exceptional performance, dismantled Lancashire’s batting lineup in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup match at Derby, paving the way for a resounding nine-wicket victory.
Brown, who recorded his best one-day figures of 5 for 37, wreaked havoc on the Lancashire batsmen, bowling six overs and claiming five wickets. Zak Chappell and Harry Moore also contributed with two wickets each, leaving Lancashire reeling at 99 all out in just 20 overs.
Lancashire’s highest score came from extras, with 19 runs, while only three players managed to reach double figures. Andrew Flintoff’s 16-year-old son, Rocky, was one of those three, scoring 16 runs.
Derbyshire’s chase was a breeze, with Luis Reece leading the charge with an unbeaten 52 runs. Reece and Harry Came shared a 65-run partnership to seal the victory in the 20th over, with Derbyshire losing just one wicket.
The victory marked Derbyshire’s third in Group A, boosting their chances of reaching the knockout stages. Lancashire, on the other hand, suffered their third defeat, leaving them in a precarious position.
Lancashire’s batting woes began early, with Sam Conners trapping Harry Singh lbw in the first over. Chappell then struck twice in his fourth over, dismissing Josh Bohannon and George Bell, leaving Lancashire on 27 for 3.
Flintoff, who was hit on the helmet by a short ball from Chappell, fell to another short delivery from Brown, reducing Lancashire to 55 for 5. Venkatesh Iyer, making his debut for Lancashire, showed some promise with two glorious drives for four, but he was caught by Brown in the deep.
Brown continued his demolition, bowling Jack Blatherwick and Tom Aspinwall in quick succession. Moore then had George Balderson caught behind, and Brown completed the rout by bowling Charlie Barnard.
Derbyshire’s bowlers had set the stage for a comfortable victory, and Reece wasted no time in pressing the accelerator, hitting two sixes off Blatherwick in the fourth over. Reece and Came shared a double century opening stand against Middlesex on Saturday, but this time they were parted when Singh took a smart catch to dismiss Came.
However, Reece and Brooke Guest, who remained unbeaten on 37, added 65 runs to put the seal on an impressive Derbyshire display.
