Somerset’s middle order crumble late in the day but take run chase into fourth day as Luke Wells makes a century to post arduous target for visitors.
Somerset 146 and 204-6 (Vaughan 68, Balderson 2-33) trail Lancashire 140 and 398 (Wells 130, Leach 3-57) by 188 runs.
A possible match-winning century from veteran batsman Luke Wells took Lancashire’s lead just short of 400 with Somerset needing a win to keep their title hopes alive.
George Balderson’s bowling once again troubled the Somerset middle order who began to fall as the light faded on day three.
The game resumed with Wells and Balderson going at around two an over as the pitch conditions seemed to turn wholly to a batting track.
Wells played conservatively and made only his second ton of the season in what has been a difficult one for most Lancs batters.
His wicket fell when Leach had him LBW going for a reverse sweep shot, ending what was Lancashire’s record eighth wicket stand against Somerset making 135.
Tailender Bailey came out to bat and quickly returned, getting dismissed nine balls after Wells in the same manner from the same man, Jack Leach.
Lancashire were all out by lunch when Balderson was bowled through the gap on 47. However, it wasn’t before the home side could add 100 runs to their total leaving Somerset 393 to win the match.
Luke Wells reflected on his contribution; “To come in at seven in the end with the nightwatchman and get a score, it was very pleasing but a little bit odd at the same time”
“I’m very pleased to be able to get us into a commanding lead, but they have a lot of very good all round cricketers and they’ll be able to come tomorrow with slightly fresher legs so it’s by no means finished, this game”
–
If Somerset were to complete this run chase, it would be the highest one at Old Trafford since Nottinghamshire chased down 359 in 1991.
A truly bizarre moment of batting came when Andrew Umeed, who came into the innings on a king pair, managed to avoid a second duck, but only just.
Umeed hit a boundary off his first ball coming down the track to Bailey, then the next ball he repeated his rampant charge out of his crease, this time missing it completely leaving his off stump cartwheeling courtesy of a shorter length outswinging delivery.
The rest of the session looked to be defined by a couple early dropped catches in the slip cordon by captain Keaton Jennings, one when young Archie Vaughan was on 16 and the other when Lammonby was on 20.
But Lancashire weren’t left to rue their missed chances as two quick wickets fell just before lunch. One came from the man of the day Luke Wells who had Lammonby cleaned bowled on 49, the other from overseas signing Phillip who got a much deserved wicket having Abell leg before wicket.
Anderson Phillip bowls at an average pace in and around the mid eighties but the noise when the ball struck Abell’s pad sounded like a bomb going off, he is seriously quick.
Amongst all this madness, Archie Vaughan paraded his way to a valiant 68 but could not make his maiden test century, nicking one behind to first slip from an angled in away seamer from Balderson.
There were some lovely shots on display from Vaughan today, looking very solid at the top of the order for Somerset.
Title rivals Surrey secured victory at the Oval by ten wickets today, meaning victory is essential if Somerset want to stay in the race for top spot.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore was the only other wicket to fall in the day’s play, off the bowling of Balderson again who took his sixth wicket of the match.
The partnership of Rew and Aldridge looked to manage the game situation well, easing themselves into tomorrow with five wickets spare.
However, on the second ball of the final over of the day, Luke Wells got one to spin harshly away from Aldridge who nicked it into the keeper’s gloves.
This sets up a final day tomorrow where Somerset require a run chase of 189 to win the match and Lancashire need four wickets for their first win in five games.
Recent Comments