MOHAMMED Zaman Khan cracked his first ton for Darwen as his form matched the hot weather in a stunning win over Lancaster.

The professional was in magnificent form as the sun shone down on Birch Hall and Zaman Khan stepped up to the plate in some style.

Darwen were wobbling on 65-4 as they chased Lancaster’s 212-8 as spinner Ben Simm turned the screw – but Zaman Khan, known as Zimmy, loved the challenge as he roared to 106 not out.

In a spectacular knock, he hit five sixes and 11 fours from just 86 deliveries and received good support from skipper John Cordingley and brother Neil, who both made 20 in weighty stands for the fifth and sixth wickets.

Earlier Neil Cordingley had bowled marvellously to restrict Lancaster to their 212-8 as he claimed 5-47. Former Accrington professional Roy Silva smashed his way to 103.

Chorley had a bad day as Lancashire Colts visited Windsor Park and went away with a 101-run win.

The side of up and coming players from the Lancashire Cricket Board’s Academy – and a few older heads like skipper Jason Swift – batted first and racked-up 214-9.

Top scorer was Liam Watkinson, the son of Lancashire director of cricket Mike Watkinson, who made 76, while Liam Jackson hit 54.

Billy Smith claimed four wickets for Chorley, while Kieran McCullagh impressed again with a couple of victims.

Lancaster

M Stevens LBW N Cordingley 48
J Heywood b Anwar 16
T Barry b Jackson 5
Silva st Clarke b N Cordingley 103
K Uppoor ct Emery b N Cordingley 1
J Hurst b Anwar 6
D Welbourne ct Clarke b N Cordingley 4
B Hetherington ct and b N Cordingley 7
C Swarbrick Not Out 8
I Perrieman Not Out 3
Extras 11
Total (8 wickets, 50 overs) 212
N Cordingley 16 4 47 5, K Anwar 14 2 55 2, Zaman Khan 11 2 54 0, N Jackson 4 0 13 1, N Burke 5 0 34 0 0 0.

Darwen

N Burke ct Uppoor b Perrieman 17
C Lowe ct Silva b Simm 22
Zaman Khan Not Out 106
A Davies ct Hetherington b Simm 0
C Clarke ct Silva b Simm 0
N Cordingley LBW Simm 20
J Cordingley run out 20
M Emery Not Out 6
Extras 23
Total (6 wickets, 47.5 overs) 214
Silva 12 1 58 0, I Perrieman 9 2 22 1, C Swarbrick 9 2 26 0, B Simm 14.5 4 72 4, M Stevens 3 0 21 0.

Darwen won by 4 wickets.