Lancs clinch top spot in group

LANCASHIRE sealed top spot in the NatWest T20 Blast North Division with a routine victory by 27 runs over out-of-contention Durham Jets at Emirates Old Trafford.

The Lightning won their sixth match in succession and their 10th of out of 14 in all as they completed their group campaign in comprehensive fashion thanks mainly to impressive performances from Usman Khawaja and Kyle Jarvis, both playing for the first time in Twenty20 this season.

Australian overseas batsman Khawaja, playing in place of the rested Tom Smith, top scored with 44 off 25 balls in a competitive 164 for eight, although the hosts should have posted more on a typically abrasive Old Trafford surface.

Durham’s reply never got going as they ended their away involvement in the competition with a whimper, despite an impressive comeback with the ball after Khawaja and Ashwell Prince had got Lancashire off to a flyer with an opening stand of 84 in 7.1 overs, their best of the season.

Jarvis led a much–changed Lightning bowling attack, minus Junaid Khan and Andrew Flintoff, with two for 25 from four overs as Durham finished with 137 for seven. Phil Mustard top–scored with 49.

Khawaja said: “It was my first T20 and it was a lot of fun.

“It was a bit touch–and–go there after we batted but the boys bowled really well.

“I’ve watched every single game here and we haven’t looked like losing. Some of the games we've been getting 200 easily and that’s why I was a bit surprised we only got 160. It was a bit odd.

“There’s a really good vibe in the changing room, especially when the T20s come around. We’ve finished first in the table, we’ve beaten the best sides and we're very confident.”