MATCH REPORT: Bowlers keep Warwicks in check despite Davies century
Alex Davies scored an unbeaten 127, his tenth first-class century, to hold the Warwickshire first innings together superbly as the Lancashire bowlers combined to bowl the visitors out for 284 on the second day of this Vitality County Championship match at Emirates Old Trafford.
In reply Lancashire had reached 66 for three at the close with Keaton Jennings 12 not out but George Bell falling for 40 in the final over of the day to trail by 218 runs.
It was a marathon effort by Davies, the Bears captain, who reached his fifth century for Warwickshire from 256 balls in six hours and 22 minutes as Lancashire whittled away slowly at the rest of the visitors batting on a fairly benign surface.
Resuming on 89 for three, the morning session was one where not a great deal happened after George Balderson had struck in the third over of the day when Dan Mousley edged a tentative drive into the hands of Keaton Jennings at first slip for two.
Davies dropped anchor to help rebuild the innings from 93 for four, reaching his fifty in one minute over three hours off 123 balls – the third-slowest half century of his career.
It nearly came to an end when the Warwickshire skipper had reached 54, after a running mix-up with Jacob Bethell saw Davies well short of his ground if the throw to the bowler’s end had been more accurate.
But on a pretty unresponsive surface the Lancashire attack produced some accurate bowling that coupled with Warwickshire’s careful approach meant the 33 over session produced just 77 runs.
It was the second over after lunch before Lancashire enjoyed another breakthrough when Jack Morley, on his return to the side from his loan spell at Derbyshire, trapped Bethell lbw for 40 with a ball that spun sharply and kept a touch low to end a 74-run partnership.
Michael Burgess played across the line to be lbw to Balderson for 24 and Jake Lintott gloved a reverse sweep off Nathan Lyon to ‘keeper Matty Hurst for 9 to leave the visitors on 231 for seven in the 98th over.
Some hearty blows from Hassan Ali, who hit 29 including one six and 4 fours, in a 40-run alliance with Davies helped put some momentum into the innings until Ali was well caught by Tom Bruce at long-on off Luke Wells from the first ball after tea.
Wells then collected his 100th wicket in first-class cricket by having Michael Rae lbw for 0 and Morley wrapped up the innings by trapping Olly Hannon-Dalby in front for a duck, leaving Davies unbeaten on 127 and carrying his bat for the first time. It was however, a curiously slow innings that gained Warwickshire one batting point and Lancashire three bowling points.
But Lancashire started badly, Wells edging the second ball of the innings from Hannon-Dalby to second slip and, after scoring 12 runs, Josh Bohannon fell to the same combination to leave the hosts on 12 for two.
Jennings, who took 45 minutes and 32 balls before scoring a run, played a patient game in making 12 not out alongside George Bell who produced some attractive strokes as the pair steadied the innings, reaching their fifty partnership from 123 balls.
But in the last over of the day Bell, who had played so well top edged a sweep off left arm spinner Lintott that was well caught by a diving Hannon-Dalby at backward square leg for 40.
“I think we’ve bowled really well over the last two days,” said Jack Morley.
“I’ve not been around the dressing room that much, but from the talk in the changing room the lads are really happy; that’s how they’ve wanted to bowl.
“It was really good to hear that positive talk.”
Morley is back from a loan spell with Derbyshire, and he added: “After I got my first wicket, I gave Keats a hug and said, ‘it’s great to be back’.
“I was around the lads for a couple of days at Blackpool last week, went back to Derby because there was a chance of playing in their game, and then got a call from Mark Chilton to say ‘we want to play two spinners against Warwickshire on a used wicket’ – which was also nice to hear – so I came back.”
“Credit to Derbyshire, what they’re doing is really good, it’s a good environment and Mickey (Arthur) was really good with me.”
Looking ahead to the remainder of the game, Morley said: “It’s a decent pitch, there’s a little bit in there for everyone.
“The first hour today they were going at just over two (per over), and at Emirates Old Trafford where it can fly away as well, I think the bowlers, especially the seamers at the start of the day, did really well.
“Hopefully we can put some runs on tomorrow and then do the same when we bowl in the second innings.
Ken Grime
Photos: Barry Mitchell, Luke Adams
