There is just one match scheduled for the Norwich Union League this Sunday, and it involves two giants of the game. Matches involving teams from Lancashire and Middlesex usually have a certain aura to them, but this is slightly different. Not only are the Lightening and Crusaders in Division Two, but they are occupying two of the bottom three places in the lower division.

Lancashire Lightening have a record that reads "played two; won one." Middlesex Crusaders had had just the one outing so far, finishing second in their only match.

The Lancastrians got off to the most dismal start to the season imaginable when they were bowled out for just 68 by Surrey Lions. Their innings was all over less than 21 overs after it had begun. They did manage to take four Surrey wickets, but the Lions were back in their den inside 12 overs.

It says something for their character that they came back last week to beat Sussex Sharks by four wickets at Old Trafford, but their batting still lacked conviction. The Sharks were bowled out for 160, and it needed a special innings from Stuart Law to guide them home. The Queenslander was 71 not out from 72 balls as the home side won by four wickets. The next highest contribution? Extras with 18!

On the same day, Middlesex Crusaders were bowled out by Northamptonshire Steelbacks for a mere 146 and went down easily by six wickets. It could be said that there is plenty of room for improvement and both sides will be looking at this match as a means of getting some impetus behind their League campaign.

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