A century for Brown sees Lancashire Ladies home

Natalie Brown

In a close match Lancashire Ladies managed to secure a victory over Devon in their first County Championship match of the 2011 campaign.

Under lowering skies skipper Jenny Laycock won the toss and put Devon into bat. The Devon openers Carr and Cranstone put on 50 for the first wicket but not without their share of lucky escapes. The Lancashire catching not being at it’s best today.
However the left arm spin of Alex Hartley split the partnership as she claimed two wickets in her first three overs.
Lancashire’s success was short-lived however as Miles and Bertrand compiled a fourth wicket partnership of 86, taking the score from 78 for 3 to 164 for 4.
At one point it looked as though the Devon score would be well in excess of 200 but the Lancashire bowling and fielding stood up well in the last 10 overs with 2 sharp run outs and some improved catching to restrict them to 182 for 9 off their 50 overs.
The wickets were shared among 3 bowlers:- Natalie Brown 2-38, Alex Hartley 2-33 and Arran Brindle 3-38, although special mention should be made of Jenny Laycock who bowled her 10 overs of off-spin for a miserly 14 runs.

Chasing 183 to win from 50 overs, Lancashire made an inauspicious start with both openers Scothern and Blundell back in the pavilion with only 15 runs on the board.
At this point Natalie Brown and Arran Brindle came together and took the score along to 62 before Arran was dismissed for 19. Natalie continued along her imperious way being merciless on any wayward bowling, driving, pulling and sweeping her way to an immaculate century. A match winning innings, eventually she was out for 101 with only 10 needed for victory. These runs were accumulated with 2 overs to spare, Chloe Wallwork hitting a 6 to seal victory and Jess Couser finishing 13 not out.

Lancs next match is on Sunday 5th June against Worcestershire at St Annes CC 11.00am start.

Lancashire Ladies v Devon Ladies Scorecard (92 Kb)