Balderson backs up maiden First-Class ton with two wickets at Edgbaston
George Balderson’s maiden first-class century illuminated a grey second day as Warwickshire and Lancashire battled away in their LV=Insurance County Championship match at Edgbaston.
On a grey morning, Lancashire all-rounder Balderson extended his overnight 94 to 116 (235 balls) out of his side’s 327 all out before the home side replied with 179 for five on a grey afternoon.
On a slow pitch, diligence has been required throughout from batters and Balderson showed plenty of it, spending 44 balls in the nineties before reaching his richly-deserved ton. Warwickshire captain Will Rhodes then showed similar resolve to compile 82 (168 balls) on a grey evening.
After resuming on 295 for seven on the second morning, Lancashire lost Tom Bailey (75, 136 balls) to the second ball, lbw to a big inswinger from Hamza Mir. That concluded a partnership of 145 in 45 overs between Bailey and Balderson and when Will Williams quickly fell the same way, Balderson still required five runs for his maiden ton with just last man Jack Morley for company.
Unlike at Lord’s in 1895, when Sammy Woods generously served up a deliberate leg-side full toss so that WG Grace could reach his hundredth hundred, Balderson was made to earn every run towards his milestone before he edged Olly Hannon-Dalby to the third man boundary to cheers from the Red Rose balcony.
Morley stuck around while 30 were added and doubled his previous first class run tally of nine before nicking a slog at Danny Briggs.
In reply, Warwickshire’s openers fell in the first seven overs, both deciding too late to leave the ball as Alex Davies played on to Williams and Rob Yates edged Bailey behind. Rhodes and Sam Hain then added 68 in 28 overs either side of a rain break, Hain arriving into double-figures after 69 balls before falling, strangled down the leg side off Balderson, for 15 off 79.
At 82 for three, further quick wickets would have moved Lancashire into a strong position, but Rhodes and Dan Mousley batted watchfully to add 77 in 22 overs. Bailey continued his impressive match by trapping Rhodes lbw and Ed Barnard tickled Balderson down the leg side to the keeper but Mousley, after a skittish start, settled to play with an authority of which WG Grace would have been proud to reach the close unbeaten on 45 (92 balls).
Report: ECB Reporters Network
Images: Dan Adams
