LONDON, Sept 7: Wasim Akram's Lancashire could land their second English County One-day title after their victory in the Natwest Trophy.The Pakistani all-rounder captained Lancashire to the 60 overs Natwest Trophy yesterday when they trounced Derbyshire by nine wickets in the Lord's final, and they could follow that by clinching the 40-overs league crown.
Lancashire need to win one of their two remaining league matches to be certain of the title, and they play fifth-placed Hampshire at Old Trafford today.
Nearest rivals Essex, who had led the table for much of the season, suffered a second successive defeat yesterday which left them four points behind Lancashire with only one game -- worth four points to the winners -- still to play.
Scores
At Riverside: Glamorgan bt Durham by 26 runs. Glamorgan 232-7 in 40 overs (M Maynard 90, S James 78). Durham 206-8 in 40 overs (D Boon 76).
At Chelmsford: Nottinghamshire bt Essex by 51 runs. Nottinghamshire 192-6 in 40 overs (G Archer 50 notout). Essex 141-9 in 40 overs.
At Leicester: Leicestershire bt Middlesex by 160 runs. Leicestershire 222-8 in 40 overs (V Wells 77). Middlesex 62 all out in 22.4 overs (J Ormond 4-12, J Dakin 3-10).
At Taunton: Match abandoned due to rain. Somerset 77-4 in 19 overs vs Worcestershire.
At the Oval: Surrey bt Kent by 41 runs. Surrey 183-8 in 40 overs. Kent 142 all out in 33.3 overs (A Hollioake 4-18).
At Hove: Sussex bt Yorkshire by six wickets. Yorkshire 89 all out in 38 overs (J Kirtley 4-21). Sussex 90-4 in 24 overs.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.