Notts race to quick defeat over injury-hit Lancashire

5:36am Saturday 17th May 2008

Lancashire were left contemplating a first County Championship defeat of the season yesterday after Nottinghamshire's batsmen completed the formalities in their pursuit of 145 at Trent Bridge.

The Red Rose county were humbled by seven wickets inside three days by the early season LV Division One table-toppers.

The hosts resumed day three on 33-1, needing just another 112 runs to record their second win of the season.

Ex-Bolton League man Sajid Mahmood gave Lancashire some brief hope by ripping out two wickets in the first over of the day, the dismissal of nightwatchman Paul Franks was the first ball.

Matthew Wood was comprehensively bowled to leave the score at 36-3 - but that was as good as it got.

Australian one-day international all-rounder Adam Voges smashed an unbeaten 42-ball half century, including ten fours, while Mark Wagh helped him out with 43 not out.

Voges finished on 69 in a fourth wicket partnership of 111.

Captain Stuart Law was forced to juggle four bowlers, with Gary Keedy, Steven Croft and Steven Mullaney helping out Mahmood. The 26 year-old finished with figures of 3-76 from his 14 overs.

Lancashire claimed just three points from the match, with Law saying: "I know this going to sound like we are moaning a bit, but I wouldn't mind playing on a wicket that doesn't go up and down on the first day and then swing round corners.

"We didn't bat well enough here, but what happened after that didn't feel great."

Lancashire will now have to lick their wounds today ahead of a crucial Friends Provident Trophy tie with Durham at Chester-le-Street tomorrow.

The Red Rose county, savaged by injuries, are top of the North Division after five games - and will go along way to securing their passage through to the quarter finals with a win.

Out of necessity, all-rounder Kyle Hogg will almost certainly return from a tight hamstring, but Andrew Flintoff, Glen Chapple, Oliver Newby, Tom Smith and Dominic Cork are out. James Anderson is also away playing in the first Test at Lord's.

"This is the most difficult situation, with regards to injury, that we have ever experienced," said cricket manager Mike Watkinson.

Watkinson also added that he expects Andrew Flintoff to miss Lancashire's next Championship game at Yorkshire on May 30 with his left side strain.

That would effectively rule the all-rounder out of the whole Test series against New Zealand.

Flintoff hopes to be fit to return for England against South Africa.

Olympic silver medal for Jason