Lancashire 206-8 (Bohannon 94, Melton 3-46, Conners 2-25 Reece 2-49)
v Derbyshire
Yet Josh Bohannon rode his luck to make a dogged 94, taking them to a higher total than may have otherwise been possible, one that may be match-defining. He was dropped a time or two, one to Madsen at slip from the bowling of Melton fairly routine, but his side would have been in real trouble without his grafting. Let's hope that our batsmen can replicate that grit, on a slow wicket where stroke play is not easy. Staying in gradually got a little easier with the older ball, but it was cricket for the purists after tea.
At one point after the interval, just nine runs came from ten overs, as Dal and Reece bowled accurately. Had there been a crowd, I suspect a few naps may have been taken in the evening sunshine, or books proved a more attractive alternative.
While he bowled very well and showed astonishing stamina, I thought we overbowled Luis Reece today and I was surprised that Mattie McKiernan wasn't asked to bowl at all. Having earned a place in the eleven, he put down two difficult chances at slip and the selection seems odd for such a peripheral contribution. Given the uncertainty caused by Matt Critchley, I would have thought him worth an over or two, at least. Perhaps he is there for the second innings...
Critchley bowled well, without luck, but Melton was again excellent. I suspect he is the most improved player on the staff, going from the fast but erratic bowler who faced the Australians last year, to one who bristles with aggression and commitment but now has much better control.
We need to finish things off tomorrow then aim for a good first innings. We certainly won't want to chase big on the final day.
Whatever happens, we control our own destiny.
Could we ask for more?
On the face of it honours even. I am concerned that no other player other than bohannon really contributed much. Is this a sub 200 par wicket? Either way if we pick up the last 2 in the first half an hour and can bat the rest of the day we should end day 2 on par.
ReplyDeleteWe won't know till tomorrow, Nick, but need that long batting to get us some batting bonus points.
DeleteI don't see 400 as attainable on here, unless one of the top four produces something special. But we bat long and hopefully we can move into the driving seat tomorrow!
I was shouting at the TV for McKiernan to be given a bowl (OK a silent urging but you get what I'm saying). I can't fathom why he wasn't given the ball and I suspect he feels likewise.
ReplyDeleteWe did well but could have done better. It doesn't look a wicket that will be easy to score quickly on and it's looking like we'll need to win the game to get to Lord's.
Two quick ones and then grafting with the bat before hopefully we can score more freely with an older ball and lesser bowlers.