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Page last updated at 15:04 GMT, Thursday, 30 July 2009 16:04 UK

Langer grateful for 'lottery' win

Justin Langer
Langer recently broke Don Bradman's Australian record for first-class runs

Somerset captain Justin Langer admitted he had never been involved in anything like the bowl-out that saw Somerset beat Lancashire in the Twenty20 Cup.

The quarter-final tie was decided by a bowl-out, which Somerset won 5-1, after being rained off three days running.

Langer, 38, told BBC Somerset: "For me, it was a bit like a penalty shootout. That's what I said to the boys in the changing room before the game.

"It is a little bit of a lottery and thankfully we won."

The decisive hit was made by all-rounder Ben Phillips.

Langer added: "We decided to go for our best senior bowlers basically because of their temperament [and] their action - they've bowled a lot of balls.

"It was obviously a bit nerve-wracking and a shame we had to finish in that style. We've been here three days and the weather's just beaten us so it's come to that.

"I tried not to think too much about it. I didn't really watch what Lancashire were doing and just waited for my turn and concentrated on what I had to do.

"With a little bit of luck we've gone through to the next round. Maybe the omen is with us this year."

Lancashire coach Peter Moores was gracious in defeat and was happy with his side's preparation for the unusual end to the game.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It's been a long three days. It's not what both sides wanted but give Somerset their due - they've hit more than we have.

"We had plenty of practice. We did a couple of hours last night to identify our side. We did it in very similar conditions to how it was done today so we had the chance of feeling what it would be like in a competition.

"We did a bit more this morning. We were happy that we were as prepared as you can be for something you don't do all the time."

Former captain Mark Chilton says Lancashire need to "salvage" their season after the defeat.

It's a first for me and a bit surreal really. You don't really feel like you've done a lot wrong

Former captain Mark Chilton

He told BBC Radio Manchester: "The next two months are important.

"We've got to get over this defeat now and start playing some quality cricket to try to salvage something from the season.

"We've never quite been faced with this situation before but we've got to put these disappointments behind us as quickly as we can and get focused on tomorrow and the rest of the season from there.

Alfonso Thomas

Lancashire capitulate in bowl-out

"With losing the Friends Provident Trophy semi-final we've had a couple of real big disappointments when we've played a lot of good cricket and it feels a bit harsh at the moment.

"It's difficult to say what effect this defeat will have on our morale.

"It's a first for me and a bit surreal really. You don't really feel like you've done a lot wrong. I've never done a bowl-out before and to go out of the campaign like that seems a little bit unfair but they're the rules and that's the way it is so you've got to get on with it.

"We've played so well in this competition it's been a shame that's this is the end of it. We had started to play some great cricket in this Twenty20 and got some real momentum in the heat games.

"Had this game been a 20 overs game it was going to be a great contest and we did have a lot of confidence in this competition. We'd worked out a format and it worked really well for us and brought us a lot of success so I suppose it just rubs a bit of salt into the wound."

Somerset now face Kent in the semi-finals at Edgbaston.



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see also
Somerset beat Lancs in bowl-out
30 Jul 09 |  Counties
Langer unsure on Somerset future
29 Jul 09 |  Somerset
Lancs-Somerset cup tie washed out
29 Jul 09 |  Counties
Heavy rain dampens Cumbes spirits
29 Jul 09 |  Lancashire


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