Cricket: Hick and Moody march on

Lancashire 148-7

Worcestershire 137-1

Worcestershire win on faster scoring rate

TOM MOODY and Graeme Hick, Worcestershire's match- winners in the NatWest Trophy final, powered their team to victory over Lancashire on a faster scoring rate in the AXA Equity and Law match at Old Trafford yesterday.

The pair's unbeaten near double-century stand ended Warwickshire's grand slam dream at Lord's on Sunday, and they picked up where they left off with an unbroken century partnership in this rain-affected match.

Worcestershire were set a revised target of 135 from 30 overs after rain ended Lancashire's innings at 148 for 7 after 33 overs. When Tim Curtis fell for 15, Hick and Moody battered Lancashire into submission, reaching their target with 26 balls to spare.

Hick was particularly punishing in the 102-run stand, reaching his 50 in just 38 balls and smashing three sixes and four fours. Moody hit four boundaries in a 69-ball half- century.

The victory moved Worcestershire into second place, two points above Kent, and denied Lancashire the chance of a finish in the top three.