CRICKET: Karl Brown pressed his claims for more first team cricket with Lancashire by scoring a career best 65 not out in a thumping nine-wicket win over the ECB Unicorns in the Clydesdale Bank 40 at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The 22-year-old former Atherton opener, currently playing his club cricket at Leigh in the Liverpool Competition, helped the Lightning chase down 144 with 80 balls to spare.

He hit five fours and two sixes in 80 balls, sharing an unbroken second wicket partnership of 99 with Steven Croft (39).

It was Brown’s first competitive match for the Red Rose this season, although he did hit 56 in a 50-over friendly against the West Indies A side a couple of weeks ago.

Coach Peter Moores said: “Browny has had a good one-day season for the twos.

“He earned himself a place to face the West Indies A, did well in that game, and through that he earned his place to bat upfront in this game.

“I thought he played really well, ran hard between the wickets, and every time you do that you start pushing yourself closer and closer, making it more competitive in the squad to push for any competition.

“I am really pleased for him that he has taken his opportunity.”

Moores also revealed that he may go into tomorrow’s Friends Provident Twenty20 quarter final against Essex at Chelmsford without an overseas player.

It looks almost certain that Australian Simon Katich will not be available after picking up a few niggles in his country’s Test series against Pakistan.

Nathan McCullum has gone back to New Zealand while Shivnarine Chanderpaul may not be selected.