Lancashire allrounder takes 3 for 21 and then adds quick runs as Lancashire claim comfortable DLS victory

ECB Reporters Network26-Jul-2019An expert bowling display and some brief Jos Buttler-esque fireworks from Liam Livingstone led unbeaten Lancashire to a thumping 21-run win on Duckworth Lewis Stern over Vitality Blast champions Worcestershire at Emirates Old Trafford.Livingstone returned 3 for 21 from four overs of legspin as pace off largely did the trick for the Lightning on a used hybrid pitch, with the Rapids restricted to 130 for 9 having elected to bat in a repeat of last year’s semi-final.The Red Rose are England’s most successful county in terms of T20 matches won – this was their 107th in their 201st fixture since the competition’s inception in 2003 – and you can see why.Livingstone’s wickets included visiting captain Brett D’Oliveira with his first ball and New Zealand opener Martin Guptill for 37. He then scooped Wayne Parnell for two sixes in a 14-ball 21 as the Lightning, celebrating Buttler’s three-year contract extension, got off to a flyer at 38 for one after four overs in pursuit.Rain later halted proceedings at 71 for 1 after nine overs, including Alex Davies’ unbeaten 29. Lancashire have now won three matches added to a no result, while Worcester have won one, lost one and had a no result from three.Livingstone, who wowed the crowd with his sixes, was then given a taste of his own medicine as he departed courtesy of a stunning one-handed catch at backward square-leg from Ed Barnard later in the fourth over. Having viciously connected with a pull, he saw Barnard sprint to his right approximately 15 yards in from the rope and grab the ball in his right hand diving full length.Unfortunately for Worcester, it was their only moment to savour as Lancashire won their third successive match and their second in as many nights having only just beaten Yorkshire.Pace off was their main weapon on a hybrid pitch which slowed up from its first use against Durham on Sunday. But new-ball quick Richard Gleeson removed Callum Ferguson lbw and bowled Ross Whiteley with searing yorkers as the visitors fell to 84 for 5 after 14 overs.Livingstone had D’Oliveira caught at deep backward square leg sweeping with his first ball of the competition in the 11th over, having only returned from an intercostal injury in last night’s Roses win. He later had Guptill caught at long-off for an innings-high score and Ben Cox caught at short fine-leg.Legspinner Matthew Parkinson benefited from Worcestershire’s pursuit of quick runs and claimed two wickets, while Australian overseas left-arm seamer James Faulkner matched him.Faulkner took his pair of wickets at either end of the innings and was particularly effective with his variations. He bowled the only wide of the innings at the start of the 20th over.Lancashire announced the re-signing of World Cup winner Buttler shortly before the toss. And after Livingstone, who is cut from a similar cloth in his style of batting, departed, there was no way back for the Rapids.Opening partner Davies hit four fours in his 24-ball effort and was being well supported by Steven Croft’s unbeaten 13 when rain arrived just after 8.30pm with the hosts in control.