SECOND XI REPORT: Jones and Singh hit centuries as Lancashire pile on the runs against Glamorgan
Rob Jones and Harry Singh both scored centuries as Lancashire dominated the opening day of their Second Eleven Championship against Glamorgan at Northern Cricket Club in Crosby, scoring 331-5.
Jones, playing his first competitive Red Rose innings of the season, made an impressive 163 - his highest score in this competition – driving and cutting to great effect and, on one occasion, ramping quick bowler Andrew Gorvin for four, while Singh struck his second Championship ton with some lovely drives off front and back foot in making 104.
Glamorgan had won the toss and enjoyed an early success when George Lavelle edged a rising delivery from paceman Zain Ul-Hassan to second slip after making 9 with the score 18-1 in the 6th over.
It was to be the visitors last success for 64 overs as Singh and Jones’ partnership blossomed through the morning with Lancashire 100-1 at lunch and the pair batted imperiously through the afternoon session to reach tea on 227-1.
They were finally parted soon after the resumption having amassed 248 for the second wicket before Singh, who reached three figures from 200 balls - hitting 12 fours - swept off spinner Callum Taylor to Will Smale at deep midwicket.
Having posted his century off 155 balls, including 11 fours and one six driven over midwicket off Taylor, Jones moved past his previous second eleven best of 138 and also the 150-run landmark (from 202 balls) to reach 163 before lofting left arm spinner Prem Sisodiya to Andrew Gorvin at long on. The spinner’s silent prayer of thanks spoke volumes.
Sisodiya then picked up the wicket of Luke Wood for 7 via a thin edge behind to wicketkeeper Alex Horton and Ul-Hassan, armed with the new ball, nipped one back to find an inside edge off Danny Lamb after the batter had made 18 that was well caught by a tumbling Horton.
Matty Hurst (23 not out) and Tom Aspinwall (1 not out) reached stumps safely with Lancashire ending a very good day on 331-5.
Score Summary
Second Eleven Championship
Lancashire v Glamorgan at Northern CC, Day 1
Glamorgan won the toss and opted to bowl
Lancashire 1st inns 331-5 (96 overs) Jones 163, Singh 104, Zain Ul-Hassan 2-49, Sisodiya 2-63.
TEAMS
Lancashire: Harry Singh, George Lavelle (wkt), Arav Shetty, Matty Hurst, Rob Jones, Luke Wood (capt), Danny Lamb, Cian Dickinson, Tom Aspinwall, Jack Blatherwick, Matt Parkinson, Jack Morley.
Glamorgan: Morgan Bevans, Will Smale, Tom Bevan, Callum Taylor (capt), Alex Horton (wkt), Ben Kellaway, Zain Ul-Hassan, Andrew Gorvin, Prem Sisodiya, Jamie McIlroy, Ben Morris, Asim Hameed.