Thornton comes out of retirement to boost Morecambe
Morecambe became the first team to defeat Carnforth in cup cricket in 2009 with a six wickets win at Lodge Quarry.
At Lodge Quarry Phil Thornton came out of retirement to help Morecambe succeed in a successful run chase that overhauled Carnforth's challenging score of 150 for 5.
Opener Ryan Nelson continued his fine start to the season with 54 off 44 balls and captain Darren 'Skippy' Moore hit an undefeated 49 off only 28 balls for the home side.
Ryan Nelson completed another half century for Carnforth |
Darren Moore hit an undefeated 49 off 28 balls for Carnforth |
But Thornton rolled back the years with 39 off 34 balls including two fours and three sixes before being superbly caught on the boundary by Moore.
Ikram Ullah made his Morecambe debut but was caught by Warren Quinn at mid wicket off the bowling of Robert Parker for ten. Charles Boucher hit an imposing 32 off 25 balls before being superbly run out by Carnforth professional Gareth Pedder.
At the half-way stage Morecambe still needed 99 but professional Mandala Mashimbyi supplied the necessary impetus with an explosive innings of 37 off only 20 balls including four sixes, three off successive deliveries from Warren Quinn.
Though Mashimbyi fell to a superbly judged catch in the deep by Quinn, Vishal Goyal steered Morecambe home with an undefeated 25, ending the game in the grand manner with a six off Adam Cowperthwaite with two overs in hand.
Morecambe pro Mandla Mashimbyi made an explosive 37 |
Goyal returns home to India on Monday after completing his studies in England. The popular batsman plays his final Morecambe game against Barrow in the league tomorrow (Saturday).
