Lancashire on verge of County Championship title

Lancashire are on the verge of a first County Cricket Championship title in 73 years. The Red Rose county go into their final match needing just a win over Surrey to bring home the silverware to Old Trafford.

Lancashire put themselves in pole position when captain Mark Chilton and Steven Croft comfortably chased down a second innings target of 68 to beat Warwickshire by nine wickets and earn Lancashire 20 points.

It was their fifth win of the Division One campaign and Lancashire are now ahead of closest rivals Sussex after the south coast county’s defeat by Durham.

That means that a 17 point win against Surrey at the Oval on Wednesday (19 September) will be enough to clinch the title for the first time in 73 years - regardless of what any of Lancashire's rivals do.

According to manager Mike Watkinson, Lancashire are determined not to waste what is a golden opportunity: "Whatever happens at the other grounds, we can't control that. It would be nice if we can play a good controlled game of cricket - and the rest sorts itself out. What we don't want to be doing is hanging on teletext to see what is happening all around the country. It can take away from your performance.

Date article online: 18/09/2007