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Cork overshadows Freddie in win

Dominic Cork just about upstaged Andrew Flintoff as the pair fired Lancashire Lightning to victory over Twenty20 Cup high-flyers Nottinghamshire at Old Trafford.

England's premier all-rounder claimed stunning figures of three for four off three overs to secure a seven-wicket win and keep the Lightning's slim hopes of qualification alive.

But it was Cork who took the honours with Lancashire's best-ever Twenty20 Cup bowling spell of four for 16 off four overs to dismiss the visitors for just 91.

Outlaws skipper David Hussey will surely regret his decision to bat first, having seen Flintoff get into the groove almost immediately.

There was no time for England's stand-in skipper to ease himself into the action after his ankle injury, having been thrown the new ball by Mark Chilton.

His first over went for just a single - but from then on the fireworks really began.

Cork - not the kind of player to be put off by the 'Freddie Roadshow' - set the ball rolling with the wicket of Will Smith in the third over with Nottinghamshire's score on 11.

Then it was over to Flintoff. Off the third ball of his second over, he sent down a 90mph bouncer which Graeme Swann could only fend to wicketkeeper Gareth Cross.

Flintoff greeted pinch-hitter Paul Franks with another bouncer, before feeding him a half volley outside off-stump which he feathered behind off the very next ball.

At this stage the Outlaws - who started the game as leaders of the North Division - were in total disarray at 13 for three.

Cork then picked up his second wicket, Samit Patel, before Flintoff forced David Alleyne to tread on his stumps in trying to work a short pitched ball into the leg-side.

Of the five Outlaws wickets which had fallen, three of them occurred with the score on 13 and Franks, Patel and Alleyne had all departed for ducks.

David Hussey added a much needed 20 to the total before he was removed by Gary Keedy, then Simon Marshall

completed a fine catch off his own bowling to dismiss the dangerous Mark Ealham (13).

Gareth Clough then pushed the Nottinghamshire total up to 91 with a watchful 33-ball 30, before Cork completed his haul with the wickets of Clough and Charlie Shreck.

Nathan Astle went earlier in reply for hosts - and in doing so, he allowed Flintoff to blast a four and a six in his five ball knock of 10.

After AJ Harris had picked up the prized wicket of Smith to leave Lightning 24 for two, Stuart Law completed the win with complete ease and class.

The Australia opener hit a fine 51-ball 62 - and finished the game with a straight six off Patel.

Lancashire now have to beat Yorkshire Phoenix in their final game of the group stages on Tuesday to have any chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

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