Cricket: Bracewell's team into fourth final

LONDON - Gloucestershire, coached by New Zealander John Bracewell, yesterday became the first English county cricket side to reach four successive Lord's finals by beating Lancashire in their NatWest Trophy semifinal at Bristol.

Lancashire failed to get close to Gloucestershire's tally of 248 for seven in 50 overs after Michael Atherton, Sourav Ganguly and Andrew Flintoff all failed to make an impression early on.

Gloucestershire's total was built around key contributions from Kim Barnett (80), Jack Russell and captain Mark Alleyne after Lancashire had put the trophy-holders into bat.

Barnett, aiming for his fifth successive Lord's final, had been given a reprieve before he had scored when umpire Alan Whitehead gave a wide after Barnett snicked Glen Chapple to wicketkeeper Warren Hegg off the fifth delivery of the day.

The final, against Warwickshire, will be played at Lord's on August 27.

- NZPA