Lancashire County Cricket Club in 2005 are playing their cricket in Division Two of the County Championship and Division One of the totesport League. After their shock relegation last season, they are 11-10 favourites to win the Second Division of the Championship.

Their first Championship game, against Somerset, petered out into a draw. The next game, in the Sunday League against defending champions Glamorgan was abandoned as a "no result" because of rain. The next game was a thumping defeat at Lord's. They then scored a good comeback win in Andrew Flintoff's Championship comeback game against Worcestershire, followed by the narrowest of victories against Nottinghamshire on the Sunday. They then beat Buckinghamshire to progress to the Second Round of the C&G Trophy. Somerset County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Taunton. ... Glamorgan County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Cardiff, playing most of their games at Sophia Gardens, which is located by the River Taff. ... The Media Centre at Lords Cricket Ground Lords Cricket Ground is a cricket ground in St Johns Wood in London. ... Andrew Flintoff (born December 6, 1977, Preston, Lancashire) is an English cricketer and one of the best all-round cricketers in the world, bearing comparison with Ian Botham. ... Worcestershire County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at New Road, Worcester, England. ... Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club are a first-class cricket team who are based in the city of Nottingham in England. ...

Tables

Championship

The Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street Durham County Cricket Club (Durham CCC) is an English domestic first-class cricket team based at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, County Durham. ... Essex County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Chelmsford, though with grounds elsewhere. ... Worcestershire County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at New Road, Worcester, England. ... Yorkshire County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Headingley in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. ... Lancashire County Cricket Club is a first-class cricket club based at Old Trafford cricket ground, Manchester External links Official Lancashire County Cricket Club website Categories: Cricket stubs | English first class cricket teams ... Northamptonshire Cricket Club is one of the 18 major counties which make up the English domestic cricket structure. ... Somerset County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Taunton. ... Leicestershire County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Leicester. ...

totesport League

Middlesex County Cricket Club is a first-class cricket club in England, named for the historic county of Middlesex. ... Northamptonshire Cricket Club is one of the 18 major counties which make up the English domestic cricket structure. ... Glamorgan County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Cardiff, playing most of their games at Sophia Gardens, which is located by the River Taff. ... Essex County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Chelmsford, though with grounds elsewhere. ... Lancashire County Cricket Club is a first-class cricket club based at Old Trafford cricket ground, Manchester External links Official Lancashire County Cricket Club website Categories: Cricket stubs | English first class cricket teams ... Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Bristol. ... Worcestershire County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at New Road, Worcester, England. ... Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club are a first-class cricket team who are based in the city of Nottingham in England. ...

Match details

Lancashire v Somerset (13-16 April)

Lancashire (10 pts) drew with Somerset (9 pts)

At Old Trafford, Somerset won the toss and elected to field on a seaming pitch after a delayed start. Mal Loye was the only Lancastrian to score a half-century, as Somerset made the most of the conditions. Sutcliffe, Law and Chilton all worked themselves into the 30s, but failed to progress. Lancashire finished the first day on 235 for 7. Old Trafford cricket ground has been the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club since 1856. ... Somerset County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Taunton. ...

Second day honours went to Lancashire. First their not out batsmen, Dominic Cork and Sajid Mahmood, took the eighth wicket partnership to 94, and Lancashire finished on 323. Andrew Caddick took 4 for 78. James Anderson and Dominic Cork then set about damaging Somerset's batting. Only Ian Blackwell, who was dropped by Stuart Law at slip when on 17, put up much resistance, with captain and England opener Marcus Trescothick making only 11. At one stage Somerset were 53 for 4, and they finished the day on 193 for 7, with Blackwell not out on 74. Andrew Richard Caddick (born 21 November 1968) is an England cricketer. ... James Anderson can refer to: James Anderson, administrative head of Norfolk Island James Anderson, a founder of the Scottish Enlightenment James T.M. Anderson, Premier of Saskatchewan from 1929 to 1934 James Anderson an actor James Anderson, a tennis player James Anderson, a cricket player James Anderson, a Harvard University... Marcus Edward Trescothick (born in Keynsham, Somerset on 25 December 1975) is an English cricketer who plays Test cricket for the England cricket team and County cricket for Somerset County Cricket Club. ...

Just as Somerset's tail pushed on at the end of their innings, so did Lancashire's. Blackwell made his second century in two innings, finally surrendering on 122. The second-highest scorer was Richard Johnson with 40. Blackwell explained, "I've changed a few things this year and started to bat on off stump. A lot of bowlers have been going across me because they know that I go at widish balls. The ball's now closer to me if it's slanted across and I'm backing my hand-eye co-ordination to avoid being lbw." The day itself was very cold, with Blackwell saying, "It was absolutely perishing out there. I think play should be abandoned if it gets that cold." After Somerset were dismissed for 272, six Somerset men came out to field sporting woollen hats. Bad light and rain meant the day ended at 2.07pm, with Lancashire on 33 for 1, 84 runs ahead. Whilst a Lancashire victory was not out of the question, the most likely result was the draw.

Lancashire batted on for another 49 overs, scoring 195 for 6 declared, and setting Somerset a target of 247 runs in 31 overs. Horton and Loye put on 94 for the first wicket. But all in all, taking 61 overs to score 195 was hardly declaration batting. Somerset did not go for the win (which would have meant scoring at well over 7 an over), and made 69 for 3 off 22.3 overs before play ended because of bad light. Lancashire's Mal Loye, who fell just short of his century on 92 in the second innings to go with his 53 in the first said, "To get a couple of 50s against a pretty good attack is a good start. It was a pretty difficult pitch to bat on during the first day but it got easier as the match wore on and I was disappointed to miss out. Getting a century is a psychological thing for a batsman. I don't set myself goals or anything like that, but it's always nice to get a hundred." [1] (http://live.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/ENG_LOCAL/CC2/SCORECARDS/13-16APR2005/LANCS_SOMERSET_CC2_13-16APR2005.html)

Lancashire v Glamorgan (17 April)

Match abandoned - Lancashire (2pts), Glamorgan (2pts)

Simon Jones took 3 for 19 as the defending champions took on Lancashire at Old Trafford. Afterwards he said, "The older I've got the easier I've found bowling. My control has got better over the last couple of years and that showed today." Alex Wharf and Robert Croft also both took 2 wickets as Lancashire moved to 160 for 8 off 41.2 overs, with Hogg top-scoring with 41 not out. Rain then brought proceedings to a close. [2] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2005/4/11513/html/scorecard.stm) Simon Jones may refer to: Simon Jones, British actor; Simon Jones, England cricketer. ... Lancashire County Cricket Club is a first-class cricket club based at Old Trafford cricket ground, Manchester External links Official Lancashire County Cricket Club website Categories: Cricket stubs | English first class cricket teams ... Old Trafford cricket ground has been the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club since 1856. ... Robert Croft is an English cricketer. ...

Middlesex v Lancashire (24 April)

Middlesex (4pts) beat Lancashire (0pts) by 69 runs

Lancashire Lightning won the toss at Lord's and put The Crusaders in. This looked the right decision as Lancashire's seam and swing bowling attack saw Middlesex fall to 6 for 3, and then 37 for 6. The Crusaders were then rescued by James Dalrymple, who took 81 off 82 balls to take them to 210 for 9 in their 45 overs. Lancashire County Cricket Club is a first-class cricket club based at Old Trafford cricket ground, Manchester External links Official Lancashire County Cricket Club website Categories: Cricket stubs | English first class cricket teams ... The Media Centre at Lords Cricket Ground Lords Cricket Ground is a cricket ground in St Johns Wood in London. ... Middlesex County Cricket Club is a first-class cricket club in England, named for the historic county of Middlesex. ...

Lancashire's reply started to come unstuck when both openers, Stuart Law and Iain Sutcliffe, fell in successive balls with the score on 23. The game saw the return of Andrew Flintoff, back after his operation and playing just as a batsman. But he couldn't stop the rot and made only 17 before falling lbw to Scott Styris. The Lightning were finally all out for 141 and Middlesex completed their second win in two matches. [3] (http://live.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/ENG_LOCAL/NLF/SCORECARDS/22-24APR2005/MIDDX_LANCS_NLF_24APR2005.html) Andrew Flintoff (born December 6, 1977, Preston, Lancashire) is an English cricketer and one of the best all-round cricketers in the world, bearing comparison with Ian Botham. ... Scott Styris is a New Zealand cricketer. ...

Worcestershire v Lancashire (27-30 April)

Lancashire (17pts) beat Worcestershire (6pts) by 76 runs

Lancashire batted first after losing the toss at Worcester, and were soon in trouble. At 81 for 3, Andrew Flintoff, playing his first first-class match after returning from injury, came to the crease. However, after facing 5 balls he was back in the Pavilion without scoring. It got worse for Lancashire as they fell to 97 for 6 and 196 all out, mostly thanks to an unbeaten 69 from wicket-keeper Warren Hegg. In reply, Worcestershire lost Stephen Moore early, but Graeme Hick and Stephen Peters were there at close, with Worcestershire on 59 for 1. Lancashire County Cricket Club is a first-class cricket club based at Old Trafford cricket ground, Manchester External links Official Lancashire County Cricket Club website Categories: Cricket stubs | English first class cricket teams ... Worcester is the placename used around the world: Worcester, England, the county town of Worcestershire and home of: Worcester Cathedral Worcestershire sauce The Royal Grammar School Worcester North American places (named by English immigrants): Worcester, Massachusetts Worcester, New York Worcester, Vermont Worcester, Wisconsin Worcester County, Maryland Marquette, Michigan, formerly known... Andrew Flintoff (born December 6, 1977, Preston, Lancashire) is an English cricketer and one of the best all-round cricketers in the world, bearing comparison with Ian Botham. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... A wicket keeper in characteristic position, ready to face a delivery. ... Worcestershire County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at New Road, Worcester, England. ... Stephen Moore refers to multiple people: Stephen Moore is an English actor. ... Graeme Ashley Hick (born 23 May 1966) is a former England cricketer. ...

Hick dominated the second day's play as he moved from 32 not out to 176 in 231 balls, his 127th first-class century and his 97th for Worcestershire. This now puts him tenth in the list of all-time century makers, just ahead of WG Grace. However, no other Worcester player scored more than 27 as Muttiah Muralitharan picked up 5 wickets, and they finished on 306, 110 ahead. Lancashire were 47 for 1 in reply at stumps. William Gilbert Grace (July 18, 1848–October 23, 1915) was an English cricketer who, by his extraordinary skills, made cricket perhaps the first modern spectator sport, and who developed most of the techniques of modern batting. ... Muttiah Muralitharan (born April 17, 1972 in Kandy), also simply referred to as Murali, is a Sri Lankan cricketer specializing in off spin bowling. ...

There was cheer for England fans on the third day, as Flintoff was back to his belligerent best, scoring 83 from 101 balls. Stuart Law also made 83, but was slower, taking 152 balls. With support from Dominic Cork (57), Lancashire were able to set a fair target. Their 377 left Worcestershire 268 to win. They lost Peters first ball, and Moore also fell, but with Lancashire pitching short to Hick, it was 58 for 2 at close.

On the final day, 3 wickets from each of Cork and Muralitharan helped dismiss Worcestershire for 191 runs, with David Wigley unable to bat because of a broken hand sustained when James Anderson bowled a beamer at him in the first innings. After the match Cork talking about his match performance of 7 for 115 said, "The ball is coming out well at the moment. I've worked hard with Mike Watkinson over the winter with it. It's early season and these sort of conditions suit a bowler like myself." Watkinson, in response, spoke of Lancashire's determination to get straight back into the first Division after the disappointment of relegation last season, ""We talked about the start of the season and the need to start well and to get a positive number in the wins column is a good feeling. We have two home games now coming up against Derbyshire and Durham and maybe we can kick on from here." [4] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2005/4/11539/html/scorecard.stm) James Anderson can refer to: James Anderson, administrative head of Norfolk Island James Anderson, a founder of the Scottish Enlightenment James T.M. Anderson, Premier of Saskatchewan from 1929 to 1934 James Anderson an actor James Anderson, a tennis player James Anderson, a cricket player James Anderson, a Harvard University...

Lancashire v Nottinghamshire (1 May)

Lancashire (4pts) beat Nottinghamshire (0pts) by 1 run (D/L method)

Lancashire held on to win by 1 run after Nottinghamshire needed 6 to win off the last over. Earlier new Englishman Stuart Law made 52 as the Lightning got to 178 for 8 off their 43 overs. England fans would have been pleased to see James Anderton take 3 for 18 from his 8 overs in reply as the Outlaws went to 170 for 6 with 12 balls to go. But Mahmood (who only conceded 2 from the penultimate over) and Cork saw Lancashire win a nailbiter. [5] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2005/5/11545/html/scorecard.stm) Lancashire County Cricket Club is a first-class cricket club based at Old Trafford cricket ground, Manchester External links Official Lancashire County Cricket Club website Categories: Cricket stubs | English first class cricket teams ... Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club are a first-class cricket team who are based in the city of Nottingham in England. ...

Buckinghamshire v Lancashire (3-4 May)

Lancashire beat Buckinghamshire by 51 runs (D/L method) to progress to Round Two of the C&G Trophy

Andrew Crook scored freely for Lancashire County Cricket Club at Sir Paul Getty's Ground at Wormsley as he broke Lancashire's one-day record with his 162 not out. Glen Chapple gave support as he scored the competition's fastest ever half-century, making 55 in just 16 balls as the first-class team finished on 370 for 4. They were denied the chance to wrap up the win on the first day though, as rain halted play with Buckinghamshire on 39 for 2. No play was possible on the second day, and with 10.3 overs of Buckinghamshire's innings bowled, a decision was possible on the Duckworth-Lewis. [6] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2005/5/11965/html/scorecard.stm) Lancashire County Cricket Club is a first-class cricket club based at Old Trafford cricket ground, Manchester External links Official Lancashire County Cricket Club website Categories: Cricket stubs | English first class cricket teams ... Wormsley Park is a 2500 acre (10 km²) estate and stately home between Stokenchurch and Watlington in the Chiltern Hills of Buckinghamshire, England, home of the philanthropist Sir Paul Getty until his death in 2003. ...