Lancashire recorded a comfortable 66 win over the Western Province Academy in a 45 over match at Claremont.

Lancashire lost the toss and batted first on what looked to be a bowler friendly wicket, Mark Chilton was caught behind in the first over and first thoughts were that Lancashire missing Neil Fairbrother and John Crawley might struggle. Ryan Driver continued his excellent preseason form with 63 despite suffering from heat exhaustion, he and Graham Lloyd who returned to the team after a back injury put Lancashire well on top.

After Driver was out Joe Scuderi joined Lloyd and they picked up the pace in the remaining overs to give Lancashire a total of 222 for 4. Graham Lloyd was out for 79 and Joe Scuderi who still has not been dismissed on this tour finished on an unbeaten 35.

Chapple made the early breakthrough in the great catch from Lloyd at second slip. Lloyd was at the centre of things once again when a half chance to first slip was spilled and with the WP batters attempted a run, Lloyd reacted quickly, fielding the ball and hitting the stumps direct from his throw, running out the batsman.

Peter Martin and Joe Scuderi then kept things tight, before the spin trio were brought into the attack. Chris Schofield was hit to all parts of the ground in his first few overs and was soon taken out of the attack, but returned later in the innings at the opposite end to pick up a wicket.

Meanwhile Gary Yates at the other end took a wicket in his first over and another soon after. Gary Keedy replaced Schofield but also received the same punishment in his first over, but recovered well in his latter overs.

Lancashire wrapped up the victory, midway through the last over when Chapple clean bowled the last batter for his third wicket of the innings.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd