Lancashire batsman Steven Croft hit a stunning six off the final ball to give the Lightning an incredible Friends Provident Trophy win over Durham yesterday.
The 23-year-old, faced with the task of claiming 12 off the final over in pursuit of 152 off 23 overs, whacked Graham Onions over extra cover to clinch a crucial five-wicket success.
Despite only recording ten runs, the Blackpool youngster usurped Mal Loye and Pakistani debutant Mohammad Yousuf. The veteran pair put on 50 for the third wicket, hitting 58 and 32 respectively.
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Heavy rain throughout the day prevented a prompt start in Lancashire's third game of the competition.
But, the Lightning had always looked in charge from the moment that Durham were reduced to 30-3 in the sixth over.
But a combination of 66 from Michael Di Venuto and 40 from skipper Dale Benkenstein helped the visitors to a testing 151-7.
And, despite a confident 58 from opener Loye, the visitors were able to put the pressure with some tight bowling in fading light.
While Loye and Yousuf were at the crease though, Lancs were still favourites to win the game.
But the pair departed, along with Andrew Flintoff for ten, to leave Lancs needing 12 runs from the final five balls.
Atherton professional Steven Mullaney also played his part by scampering three off the penultimate ball to leave Croft his chance to be a hero.
Croft famously smashed six off the final ball, over extra cover, to beat Leicestershire in a Twenty20 Cup match two years ago.
And from the moment he connected with a rank Onions' long hop outside off stump, the game was won with a shot in the same direction.
Flintoff had earlier added to his wickets tally for the Lightning, picking up 2-13 from his allotted five overs. James Anderson and Kyle Hogg also grabbed a couple apiece.
Durham's England pair Steve Harmison and Paul Collingwood had a mixed day. Harmison claimed 2-33, while Collingwood was out first ball to Hogg.
Lancashire face Scotland at Old Trafford today, looking to make it three wins out of four games.
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