SECOND XI REPORT: Three wickets for Birkman and Dunn in Second XI Roses clash
Second XI Championship leaders Lancashire endured a challenging opening day against Yorkshire at Southport & Birkdale Cricket Club as the visitors posted 433 all out after winning the toss.
Four Yorkshire batsmen made half centuries with Matt Milnes, batting at number eight, top-scoring with 91 while Harry Birkman and James Dunn both took three wickets for the Red Rose on a day of fluctuating fortunes.
After Josh Boyden had trapped Yash Vagadia lbw for 22, Arav Shetty and skipper Will Luxton added 117 for the second wicket until Shetty edged Birkman down the leg side to wicketkeeper Matty Hurst for 72.
Harry Duke edged an away swinger from Birkman to Cian Dickinson at first slip for 2, while Luxton was stumped for 70 after advancing down the wicket to spinner Harry Singh, leaving Yorkshire 193 for four just after lunch.
Will Fraine and Ben Mike added 46 runs for the fifth wicket before both fell with the total on 239; Fraine lbw to Dunn for 38 and Mike caught at deep midwicket for 26 to give Singh a second wicket.
But Yorkshire rallied from 239 for six with a 149-run partnership between Noah Kelly and Milnes either side of tea before Lancashire hit back with the second new ball by taking four wickets in the final hour of the day.
Kelly fell for 79 to Birkman, Dom Leech was run out for 12 after backing up a bit too enthusiastically, while Michael Edwards edged behind second ball off Dunn who then ended both Mines’ fine effort – and the innings – when the Yorkshire all-rounder drove to Singh from what proved to be the last ball of the day.