Straight talking from coach Chilton after Lancashire's batting failure

George Balderson is dismissed lbw as Lancashire's loss of 20 wickets against Leicestershire angered coach Mark Chilton

Croft digs deep but Lancashire lose a thriller

Coach Mark Chilton blamed Lancashire’s batsmen for defeat in their opening Bob Willis Trophy match against Leicestershire at Worcester.

Blackpool’s Steven Croft was one who did not deserve criticism after battling half-centuries in both innings but his side lost by seven wickets after the Foxes chased down 150 in 17 overs, Colin Ackermann their hero with an unbeaten 73 from 41 balls.

Former opener Chilton said: “We shouldn’t be losing 20 wickets on that pitch, that’s what has cost us. They batted well towards the end, there was a short boundary to attack, and there were things we could have done differently with the ball but when the lads are out there you have to trust them.

“It was a good chase by them but we lost the game with our batting. It was the right decision to bat first but it was a straight-bat wicket and we lost too many wickets to cross-bat shots.”

Lancashire head to the Riverside on Saturday to start their second match against Durham, who lost their opener by six wickets to Yorkshire.