MATCH REPORT: Wells helps build Lancashire advantage against Middlesex
Luke Wells made a valuable unbeaten 65 as Lancashire closed in on Middlesex’s first innings total to build their advantage on another weather-shortened day at Emirates Old Trafford.
Wells also took a vital wicket in the morning that helped dismiss the visitors for 194 before the left hand batter led the Red Rose efforts in making inroads into the visitors score with the hosts 132 for 3 and behind by 62 runs at the close of the second day of this LV= Insurance County Championship match.
Middlesex, resuming on 132 for eight, added some useful and much-needed runs over the course of the morning with Sam Robson getting excellent support from Toby Roland-Jones as the pair added 44 for the ninth wicket.
Roland-Jones put bat to ball in a typically attacking innings of 26 that contained 5 fours and that allowed Robson the freedom to play his shots.
But after nearly an hour of frustration for the Red Rose attack Luke Wood made the breakthrough when Roland-Jones hooked a bouncer to Luke Wells at fine leg.
And Robson’s 235-minute vigil ended when he played back – and onto his stumps – to Wells having made 82 off the visitor’s 194 all out with their total of just two batting points this season remaining unchanged.
Rain then took five overs out of day’s allocation with an early lunch taken and Wells and Keaton Jennings got the Lancashire innings off to an excellent start with a partnership of 80 after the break.
Wells drove strongly either side of the wicket while Jennings was a bit more circumspect, a good policy against Nathan Bamber who produced a fine opening eight over spell for 9 runs that could easily have contained a wicket or two as the seamer consistently beat the outside edge.
But the Red Rose openers prospered against some wayward bowling elsewhere to post a fifty partnership by the 15th over, forcing visiting skipper Roland-Jones to turn to spin.
Jayant Yadav was swept for four off his second delivery by Jennings while Wells lofted the India off spinner for four and then edged just past slip for four more as the pair aimed to not let the bowler settle.
Instead, it was 21-year-old Josh de Caires who struck first – indeed with his first delivery – having Jennings lbw for 29.
Wells went to his half century from 65 balls moments later having driven Jayant for four before getting the two runs he needed.
Josh Bohannon launched de Caires for six over long-on but then played back attempting to cut Jayant and bowled for 7 by a big turning delivery.
When Phil Salt played down the wrong line to de Caires to be bowled first ball, three wickets had fallen for 16 runs in fifteen frantic minutes, with Lancashire 96 for three.
Wells and Vilas steadied the innings, adding 36 runs before bad light and rain initially halted play for 95 minutes before ended proceedings just before 6pm after the players had returned for one further over.
“I thought they bowled well and both spinners were challenging at times,” said Dane Vilas.
“The way Wellsy played was really good to see and I’m glad we got through unscathed at the end.
“Hopefully we can put us in a good position tomorrow.
“I think the pitch is quite good to bat on. It’s breaking up as it usually does here and turning out of the rough.
I think it could be a really good game.
“Hopefully we bat well tomorrow morning and the next session, get out into a lead and go from there.
“I think the way we are playing in the last couple of games we’ve had some good results.
“We’re happy with the momentum we’ve got and want to finish the season strongly.”
Ken Grime
Photos: Barry Mitchell
