MATCH REPORT: Lancashire on course for vital win after Wells century
Lancashire have put themselves on course for a vital win in the Vitality County Championship match against Somerset following a century from Luke Wells backed up by an excellent effort with the ball that has left the visitors to Emirates Old Trafford needing 189 runs to win with four wickets remaining.
Wells’ hundred in a century partnership with George Balderson allowed Lancashire to set a victory target of 393 runs in five sessions, but a disciplined Red Rose bowling performance has reduced Somerset to 204 for six with Wells and Balderson each picking up a brace.
Lancashire were bowled out for 398 on the stroke of lunch but there was a strange start to the Somerset second innings with Andy Umeed giving Tom Bailey the charge to both his first and second deliveries, the first being hammered for four through cover but the second seeing Umeed comprehensively bowled when Bailey dragged his length back a touch.
After that bizarre beginning, Archie Vaughan and Tom Lammonby settled in to take Somerset steadily along through the afternoon although Vaughan had a let off in the slips on 16 while Lammonby offered a harder chance on 24.
But the pair had sailed on calmly thereafter to build an excellent platform for the visitors by compiling a century partnership from 160 balls before Lancashire hit back with two wickets just before tea.
Lammonby played over a Wells delivery on 49 that crashed into his stumps followed by Tom Abell who was plumb lbw for 5 during a pacey spell from Anderson Phillip.
That left Somerset on 120 for three and 26 runs later the visitors lost opener Vaughan who, having reached his maiden first-class fifty, went half forward to Balderson and edged to George Bell at first slip for 68.
A buoyed Balderson then produced a snorter to find an edge off Tom Kohler-Cadmore, on 23, that was snapped up again by Bell this time around his ankles.
With 19 overs left in the day James Rew (24 not out) and Kasey Aldridge dug in, largely intent on survival, and despite a few close calls against Phillip and Wells the pair looked to have weathered the storm until Aldridge on 19 played loosely at a Wells delivery in the final over to give wicketkeeper Matty Hurst a crucial catch.
With Surrey beating Durham today, only a win will keep Somerset’s Championship hopes alive while a win is also the only way Lancashire can maintain their division one survival hopes.
Wells and Balderson started the day somewhat cagily after resuming the Red Rose second innings on 298 for seven with a lead of 292.
Balderson drove the sixth ball of the day from Craig Overton for four to post the 50 partnership off 131 balls, and once settled the pair built the lead steadily over the course of the morning in relative comfort.
Wells went to his eighth Lancashire century off 196 balls after the first hour of play having pulled Lewis Gregory for six over backward square leg and reaching three figures when cutting Aldridge for four.
Balderson continued his great supporting role contributing just 22 to the century partnership with Wells that came from 254 balls and the pair went on to set a new 8th wicket partnership record of 135 runs for Lancashire v Somerset beating the 132 between David Lloyd & Barry Wood at Weston-super-Mare in 1976.
The three wickets Somerset desperately needed arrived in a hurry just before lunch with Wells' fine effort ending when he was lbw for 130 reverse sweeping at Jack Leach who then had Bailey trapped in front for 1.
Balderson was last out aiming a bit hit at Brett Randell and bowled for 47 with Lancashire 398 all out and setting Somerset a winning target of 393.
“It was great to get a wicket on the last ball," said Luke Wells.
“I’m counting on that beating the right handers outside edge which doesn’t happen too often to me. It was a great catch by Hursty behind the stumps because it bounced a lot.
“All in all that was a very good day and we are in the box seat to win this tomorrow.
“We can’t control what’s already happened this season, we can only put our best foot forward.
“It’s been quite a funny game," he added.
"It was a slightly damper pitch than the ones we normally play on here on day one and it produced the seaming conditions that helped produce all those wickets."
“It did flatten out and I’m very pleased to be able to get us into a pretty commanding lead."
Wells admitted his new role down the order had felt very different to what he is used to.
“It feels great (to have got a century) but pretty strange to be batting at seven because of the nightwatchman. I’ve never done that before. I’d batted at six in my career once before this game.
“It felt odd. I was quite excited and a bit relieved because it hasn’t gone well up top, but also a little bit guilty because I haven’t been able to do my main bread and butter job as well as I’d like this year, especially in the four-day game.
“I’ve been happy I’ve been able to contribute in other facets of the game. I’ve bowled particularly well this year and played well in white ball cricket but my bread and butter role that I’ve done for so many years I’ve not been able to score as many as I’d like.
“So to come in at seven and get a score, well it’s definitely easier down there! Bowlers are a little more tired, you don’t have to worry about a brand new ball and worry about getting through it.
“So it was pleasing and odd at the same time."
With one day left and four wickets needed, Wells is cautioning against any complacency tomorrow.
“They’ve got a lot of very good all-round cricketers as well so it’s by no means finished," he said.
"We are going to have to keep going until the very last wicket has been taken.”
Ken Grime
Photos: Barry Mitchell, Luke Adams, Dan Adams, George Franks
