INJURY-hit Lancashire suffered a four wicket defeat by a Western Province team packed with internationals in the last game of their South African tour yesterday.

But not before Mike Watkinson's men had given the home side a scare.

Jason Gallian, Neil Fairbrother and Glen Chapple were all ruled out by niggling injuries forcing Lancashire to field all their youngsters against the strongest opposition of the tour.

They struggled to 185 all out in 39.3 of their 45 overs against a bowling attack including Brett Schultz, Brian McMillan, Meyrick Pringle, Craig Matthews and Paul Adams. Graham Lloyd top-scored with 55, Watkinson chipped in with 47 and Ian Austin hit 37 as Lancashire hit young Adams for 40 in six wicketless overs.

Austin and Peter Martin then lifted hopes of a remarkable victory by reducing Western Province to 100-5 with Austin firing out McMillan and Martin claiming the crucial wicket of Gary Kirsten.

But although Watkinson bowled eight tidy overs for 26, and Darren Shadford claimed 2-29 in his nine overs, veteran Peter Kirsten helped the home side to victory with four overs to spare.

Scores. Lancashire 185 all out (39.3 overs) - Watkinson 47, Lloyd 55, Austin 37. Western Province 189-6 (40.4 overs) - Martin 2-42, Austin 2-24, Shadford 2-29.

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