Du Plessis fires Lancashire to last eight (From Lancaster And Morecambe Citizen)

Du Plessis fires Lancashire to last eight

10:34am Friday 15th May 2009

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FIRED-UP Lancashire head into Wales today safe in the knowledge that they are already in the quater-finals of the Friends Provident Trophy.

The Red Rose stars thrashed Derbyshire Phantoms by 114 runs in a day/night game on Wednesday to book a spot in the last eight of the competition.

But coach Peter Moores wants them to maintain the momentum at Glamorgan in another match under floodlights as they make their first one-day game in the Welsh capital since 1988.

Confidence is soaring at Old Trafford and Francois du Plessis hit his first century for Lancashire in Wednesday’s win, which saw them go top of Friends Provident Trophy Group D.

The South African plundered 112 in just 86 balls and was well supported by Chorley’s Tom Smith (59) as the visitors racked up 296-8 from their 50 overs.

Derbyshire well started well in reply, Chris Rogers (68) helping them to 99-2.

But then the hosts lost their last eight wickets for 76 runs, with left-arm spinner Gary Keedy claiming 4-43.

Moores sticks with the same 13-man squad as in previous FPT matches. Captain Glen Chapple, who sat out Wednesday’s game as a precautionary measure after pulling up with tightness in his calf, will be checked ahead of the game at the SWALEC Stadium.

Moores said: “We are delighted to have qualified for the quarter-finals, we’ve played some good cricket and the hard jobs" target="_blank">work behind-the-scenes is paying off.

“But it’s important we continue to play well and take this momentum into our final two matches if we wish to secure home advance for the next stage of the competition.”

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