Mashimbyi's hits five sixes in match-winning innings
Morecambe pro Mandla Mashimbyi hit 53 including five sixes |
Morecambe set up a group decider against local rivals Lancaster in the Latham Baxendale Twenty20 Cup at Lune Road on Friday when they defeated Carnforth by 36 runs at an overcast Woodhill Lane.
Tommy Clough's side kept their Twenty20 Finals Day hopes alive after popular South African pro Mandla Mashimbyi hit 53 off 29 balls to spearhead their challenging total of 151 for 5.
Mashimbyi hit five sixes and one four but profited from two dropped catches in the outfield in his match-winning innings.
Ryan Smith continued his fluent batting form with 35 off 31 balls, sharing a fourth wicket stand of 94 with the home professional after Morecambe had struggled to 40 for 3.
Lee Barnes and Alex Benson were the pick of the Carnforth bowlers, Benson taking two for 15 off his four overs and Barnes two for 24.
Alex Benson bowls to Morecambe wicketkeeper Lewis Edge |
Smith then bowled Carnforth's in-form professional Gareth Pedder, a former Morecambe favourite for 11 before running out the other opener Lewis Bradley with a fine throw from the deep.
Carnforth were soon behind the run rate as Smith (two for 17) and Reg Cupit (one for 15) bowled miserly spells.
Graeme Cassidy accounted for Tom Barnfield and Ryan Nelson as he took two for 19.
Teenager Jason Cornthwaite emerged as Carnforth's best batsman, making a fluent 43 off 44 balls before he was run out by Mashimbyi's superb throw as he attempted a second run.
Carnforth closed 36 runs short on 115 for 9.
Morecambe Twenty20 XI 2010 |
Morecambe now need to defeat Lancaster on Friday in the final game in North Two group and better their run rate to reach Twenty20 Finals Day at Preston on Sunday 25 July.
Carnforth Twenty20 XI 2010 |
Lancaster, who have won their opening three games have scored 452 runs off 60 overs at a run rate of 7.53.
Morecambe, with two wins and one defeat have scored 421 runs off 60 overs at a run rate of 7.02.
Holders Preston, Blackpool and Netherfield have already qualified.
Results
Morecambe v Carnforth
Morecambe won by 36 runs
Morecambe 151 for 5 (M Mashimbyi 53, R Smith 35), Carnforth 115 for 9 (J Cornthwaite 43)
