Lancashire 250-5 (Wells 141, Hurst 51, Harris 45, Aitchison 3-51, Tickner 2-59)
v Derbyshire
I suppose it was hard luck for Derbyshire that Lancashire finally realised that a man who had spent a good part of his career opening the batting might be the best bet for the role in their current challenges. He was lucky early on, put down by David Lloyd at third slip, from the bowling of Blair Tickner. It wasn't an easy chance, but at this level was certainly catchable. Did Derbyshire miss a trick by having Lloyd there and not Ben Aitchison? For me, Jewell, Madsen and Aitchison should be our first choice slip cordon, but there were few opportunities for them as the day went on.
There was very little in the pitch and perhaps the decision to bowl had one eye on the return of Jimmy Anderson to the Lancashire ranks. Yet it would have asked a lot of the England legend to get anything more from this surface than the Derbyshire bowlers managed.
It was so good to see Ben Aitchison back in the side and he was excellent. It is always a pleasure to see a bowler attacking the top of off stump and giving the batters very little loose stuff to get into a rhythm. The ball to dismiss Hurst was a beauty, while the short one that surprised and dismissed the dogged Wells was possibly his first of the day. He will rightly be a happy man tonight, his first and third spells especially the work of a high-class operator.
Everyone bowled tidily, Tickner probably the pick of the rest of the bowlers, although Lancashire were in dogged mode, eschewing risk in the quest for better results after a poor start to the match and the summer. Even the usually fluent Harris took 90 deliveries over his 45, before being well pouched by Madsen, who earlier took an even better one to dismiss Jennings.
The home side will be reasonably happy with the close of play score after being put in, although they never really got on top of the bowling and asserted a position of dominance. Wells played an excellent innings, more fluent after reaching three figures, but hanging in there as someone had to do. Hurst lent gritty support and home supporters at least saw their side fight today, welcome after the game at Northampton.
As for Derbyshire, if you opt to bowl you would probably want more than five wickets by the close. But they stuck to their task well and the fielding was on point for most of the day, well led by Brooke Guest behind the stumps. Only three extras were conceded all day, a good effort.
The late injury to David Lloyd will be a concern, but hopefully he will be able to bat when Derbyshire's turn comes.
In closing, a word for the TV coverage, which was excellent. Pictures and commentary worked well together and Lancashire deserve credit for an excellent customer offer.
Yet again a excellent summary of the day’s play. Not much to add really. Like you say we put in a very workmen like performance and all the bowlers stuck to their task. The pitches at old Trafford tend to stay batting friendly all 4 days so it’s easy to see a 450 score for both teams really but a draw and a few bonus points wouldn’t be a bad result away from home. It’s also good to see Derbyshire playing at a hotel with a cricket ground tucked inside it
ReplyDeleteLike that, Ian. Made me chuckle!
DeleteGreat effort from the team today and they really kept a lid on it.Lancs had to grind it out but we showed great control.If we can skittle them for around 300 we can reply with a good score unless Jimmy has other ideas! Topspinner
ReplyDeleteThink it’s pretty much even after day 1. Grant from Telford
ReplyDeleteA good performance in the field. Dave Fletcher summed it up the bowling: tidy, not threatening. It was great to see Aitchison pick up wickets on his return. We need to finish off Lancs in the morning session.
ReplyDeleteNo-one has addressed the fact that yet again after winning the toss we have inserted the opposition, in this case on another blazing hot day on pitch that, despite a little early help to our bowlers , seems to have turned into something like a batting paradise. Yes, we stuck to our task well, but we seem to be playing catch-up all the time with our opponents racking up the runs, putting pressure on on our batting when their turn comes. So far we have coped with that pressure admirably, but I have a nasty feeling that one day this will not be the case and we will slide to defeat. I hope it doesn't happen here. I guess I'm an old fogey but I still think that winning thre toss means we should bat first unless there is evidence that there will be help for our bowlers in the pitch and the conditions. This wasn't the case at Old Trafford.
ReplyDeleteFair point, CG, bit maybe they feel their best chance of winning is a 4th innings chase? Certainly on many tracks this year that is the case. Of course there will be days when that rationale fails, but we will have a better idea by the end of today's play
Delete*but, not bit
ReplyDeleteTerrible 2nd days play, why on earth did we choose to field first. Another toss totally cocked up on, and this has drawn game written all over it already
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