Cricket: Martin leads the charge

LANCASHIRE'S SEAMERS ripped the Sussex batting line-up yesterday for a comfortable victory in the resumed NatWest Trophy first-round match at Old Trafford yesterday.

Sussex started the day hopeful of overhauling Lancashire's mediocre total of 210 even though they had already lost two wickets for 11 runs.

But instead of completing a victory upon resumption, Lancashire's seam bowlers took control and, after reducing Sussex to 33 for 6, finally dismissed them for 162 to complete a 49-run victory and set up an second round meeting with Yorkshire at Old Trafford on 8 July. Peter Martin spearheaded the home side's charge by claiming 5 for 30 from 11.5 overs to claim the Man of the Match award.

A burst of three wickets in 10 balls by Tim Hancock set Gloucestershire up for a 20-run triumph over Northamptonshire at Bristol yesterday. He removed Kevin Curran, Tony Penberthy and Mal Loye, as the visitors, chasing 267, slipped from 119 for 2 just after lunch to 130 for 5.

David Sales (42) and Jeremy Snape (35) kept them in contention, but they were all out for 246 with 13 deliveries remaining. That ensured Gloucestershire a home draw against Surrey.

Nottinghamshire booked their passage into the next round - a home game against Somerset - just after lunch yesterday with an 89-run victory against the valiant Welsh Minor Counties at Colwyn Bay.