Problems for Lancashire as last match's MOTM Croft pulled up with a back injury meaning an enforced change and young medium pacer Danny Lamb making his OD debut into the weakened side.
Lancashire won the toss and opted to bat against a very balanced Northants attack. Davies batted brightly as Lancs raced to 55-0 off only 7 overs. Hameed struggled and eventually skied one down to long on for only 13 closely followed by Brown (8) in the exact same fashion. As Chanderpaul appeared to struggle to get going Davies cruised passed his 50 in only 46 balls as he attempted to keep the score ticking along. Chanderpaul's lacklustre stay at the crease ended when he was bowled for 12 (off 26) calling into question his suitability in the one day line up, then things worsened for Lancashire as Livingstone was trapped LBW first ball.
Keeper Dane Vilas (46) did find some fluency and together with a now more conservative Davies they guided the score to 182-4 with a 72 run stand. But then problems returned as debutant Lamb edged behind soon after. Davies and Clark increased the tempo as the innings entered the final 10 overs, Davies bringing up his 124 ball ton comfortably.
Wickets continued to fall as Lancashire tried to push above 250 and whilst Davies fluency continued the tail enders imploded leaving Davies to try and negotiate the final 2 overs with number 11 parry. Over 48 yielded 14 runs and brought Davies the highest Lancashire score v Northants (146* off 146 22x4 2x6) which is also his highest score in List A cricket.
Lancashire ended on 276-9 but they might have felt they should have reached 300 and above. Save for Davies superb innings it could have been much darker for the away side.
In reply Northamptonshire raced away from the opening bowlers with Toby Lester conceding 36 runs from his opening 4 overs, but his 4th over accounted for both openers to keep Lancashire in the game. The bowling side kept a slip in play to the all rounders who bowled with accuracy outside the off stump and soon the chase had limped to 90-5.
Needing something special to maintain the chase, Northants couldn't find it. With the introduction of the left arm spinner Parry (4-16) the tail fell away assited by Lamb (2-31) and the miserly Clark (1-16).
Northamptonshire could only muster 124ao in only half the overs - with Lancashire's catching behind the wicket being the cause of their demise. Lancashire complete their 3rd win in a row to remain at the top of the group table, with an upcoming fixture against struggling Warwickshire next, whilst Northants remain firmly at the bottom of the table without a win at all.
Lancashire (276-9) BT Northamptonshire (124) by 152 runs.
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