Match report day 2: Lancs v Northants in Championship 2004 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Lancashire v Northamptonshire

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Summary for Day 2

 

Having won the toss in a county championship match for the first time in 5 matches, Warren Hegg wasted no time in choosing to bowl first. With the covers removed, the water which had leaked onto the pitch the previous day was indirectly visible judging by the strange appearance and colour of the wicket. Hegg gambled that his pace attack could use these conditions in conjunction with the new ball to make significant inroads into the Northamptonshire batting line up.

 

After several vociferous appeals in the opening overs for leg before wicket and caught behind, Lancashire eventually made the break through in the 10th over. Tim Roberts (14) edged Wood to Law at first slip (21-1). In a spell which lasted 10 overs from the Pavilion end, Wood outwitted Van Jaarsveld (7) in the 14th over to finally gain a leg before verdict from umpire Harris (35-2). In truth, this was Wood's best spell of bowling for the season. Unfortunately, Dominic Cork was unable to make any headway into the visitors batting line up in his opening burst from the River end.

 

After 105 minutes of stubborn resistance, Gerard Brophy (36) finally found himself returning to the visitors dressing room following a superb catch by Hegg from the bowling of Crook. At 74 for 3, Lancashire had gained the upper hand, but Usman Afzaal, 17 not out at the time, was digging in deep to play a long innings. At lunch, the score was 103 for 3 from 35 overs.

 

Oliver Newby, making his first class four day debut for Lancashire bowled with increasing pace and accuracy as the day developed. His opening spell was riddled with nerves, and he bowled slightly short of a good length. By the close, he was unlucky not to have captured any wickets. An hour into the afternoon session, and with the pitch drying and playing much easier, one feared that Lancashire were facing another difficult task of dismissing their opponents. Suddenly, with Sales on 59, Keedy forced the Northamptonshire captain to edge the ball to Hegg (158-4). Meanwhile, Afzaal had made his way almost unnoticed onto 42.

 

As the tea interval approached, the sky darkened. The players only just managed to make the dressing room at the official break time before the heavens opened (230-4). With little cover at the ground, spectators were forced to hide under their umbrellas, or in the bar tent! 20 overs were lost, but all credit must go to the umpires and the ground staff for getting play back on by 5.45pm. In the eleven overs through to close of play, Lancashire captured only one more wicket - another fine catch by Hegg to remove the aggressive, hard hitting Graeme Swann for 47 (250-5).

 

This was a much improved performance by Lancashire, who without the intervention of Afzaal (83 not out) and the rain might have found themselves batting by the close.

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Lancashire won the toss and elected to bowl first
• Roberts caught Law bowled Wood 14 (1st slip) - 21 for 1 in the 10th over - Brophy 7*
• Van Jaarsveld lbw bowled Wood 7 - 35 for 2 in the 14th over - Brophy 14*
• 53 for 2 in the 21st over- Brophy 28* Afzaal 4*
• Brophy caught Hegg bowled Crook 36 - 74 for 3 in the 28th over - Afzaal 17*
• 103 for 3 in the 35th over - Afzaal 24* Sales 22*
• Lunch - 104 for 3 from 35 overs - Afzaal 24* Sales 23*
• 50 partnership - 127 for 3 in the 42nd over - Afzaal 27* Sales 47*
• 50 Sales from 67 balls (10 x 4) - 141 for 3 in the 46th over - Afzaal 34*
• 151 for 3 in the 52nd over - Afzaal 40* Sales 54*
• Sales caught Hegg bowled Keedy 59 - 158 for 4 in the 54th over - Afzaal 42*
• 50 Afzaal from 104 balls (7 x 4) - 166 for 4 in the 55th over - Swann 0*
• 200 for 4 in the 62nd over - Afzaal 57* Swann 26*
• 50 partnership - 208 for 4 in the 66th over - Afzaal 59* Swann 32*
• Tea - 230 for 4 from 73 overs - Afzaal 71* Swann 40* - Rain starts to fall
• Play set to restart at 5.45pm with the loss of 20 overs
• 250 for 4 in the 78th over - Afzaal 80* Swann 47*
• Swann caught Hegg bowled Crook 47 - 250 for 5 in the 78th over - Afzaal 80*
• Close of play - 257 for 5 from 84 overs - Afzaal 83* Phillips 4*
• Lancashire 1 point, Northamptonshire 2 points

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Neil Adams http://www.cricketimages.co.uk/adams-report/intro.html)