Sparks Ton not enough

A remarkable 48-ball century by Lee Sparks wasn’t enough to see Lancaster 2nd XI to victory at home to Darwen.

Sparks entered in the 4th over and departed in the 22nd – striking countless maximums over the far wall on what was his thirtieth birthday.

Regular wickets kept Darwen in the hunt but contributions from Dakshina De Silva (48) and skipper Matthew Liver (30) took Lancaster to a seemingly unassailable 251 all out.

Darwen had other ideas however as Lancaster’s attack struggled to make any in-roads. Despite three wickets from off-spinner Laurie Atkinson, an unbeaten century from number three Mark Emery helped take Darwen over the line with 5 balls to spare.