Lancashire Lightning are fully focussed on securing a home quarter-final in the Friends Life t20 after all but confirming their place in the last eight with a comprehensive victory over Yorkshire Vikings.
Peter Moores’ men proved far too strong for their Roses rivals at Emirates Old Trafford last night as they coasted to a target of 125, for the loss of two wickets, in 11 overs.
Having boosted their net run-rate so significantly, Lancashire are well placed to qualify from the North Group even if they lose to Notts Outlaws on Sunday.
They will be guaranteed to progress prior to that game if Derbyshire Falcons do not beat Leicestershire Foxes tomorrow evening, yet there is no danger of the Lightning easing up with top spot in the group still to be decided.
Steven Croft, who stood in as captain against Yorkshire due to Glen Chapple missing the game with a back niggle, told ecb.co.uk: “Hopefully, we use the momentum from this game and get a home quarter-final. One more win for us and we’ll be back here.”
Croft was delighted with Lancashire’s display, which featured an explosive partnership of 88 inside eight overs from openers Stephen Moore and Tom Smith.
He added: “It was a perfect performance really. It’s sort of been brewing for the last few games - we’ve got the batting and fielding right, or the fielding and the bowling, but everything clicked ... at an important time for us as well with one more group game left.
“We probably couldn’t have asked for anything more. The fielders backed up the bowlers brilliantly and when it came to the batting Smudge and Moorey were brilliant.”
Smith, named man of the match having taken two wickets prior to his 22-ball 42, echoed Croft’s sentiments.
“Obviously it’s always nice to get one over on the Yorkies, but tonight was an important game for us,” he said immediately after the close of play.
“We know if we win these two games we’re got a home quarter-final and we’ve got to go hard again on Sunday.”