MATCH REPORT: Wells and Bohannon fifties put Lancashire in a strong position on the second day against Somerset
Luke Wells and Josh Bohannon both made vital half centuries as Lancashire fought their way ahead of Somerset on the second day of this enthralling Vitality County Championship match at Emirates Old Trafford.
Lancashire reached 298 for seven in their second innings by the close and have built a substantial lead of 292 runs at the halfway point of the game.
The day started well for Lancashire, who resumed their second innings on 16 for one leading by 10 runs, after Harry Singh and Bohannon batted through most of the session to give the Red Rose side an early advantage.
The pair shrugged off the early loss of nightwatchman Will Williams for 7 to post an excellent 85-run partnership across 23 overs that was in complete contrast to the mayhem of the first day when 21 wickets fell.
Singh batted solidly and carefully and gave great support to Bohannon who moved steadily to reach a 67-ball half century that included a straight six off Jack Leach.
But Bohannon fell for 60 five minutes before lunch when his attempted pull off Kasey Aldridge hit the toe-end of his bat and lobbed to Tom Abell at gully.
Although the wicket flattened out a bit today there was still some movement for the bowlers with Singh's fine 142-ball effort at the top of the order ending on 31 when he nicked a seaming delivery from Brett Randell to wicketkeeper James Rew standing up leaving Lancashire 133 for four.
Rocky Flintoff and Matty Hurst added 31 runs to that score before Somerset struck back as both fell in quick succession, Hurst edging a drive off Randell to Jamie Overton at second slip for 19 and Flintoff bowled by Jack Leach for a patient 27 off 79 balls leaving Lancashire six wickets down and only ahead by 160 runs.
That brought Wells and Bell together and the pair forged a vital seventh wicket partnership to frustrate the Somerset attack either side of the tea.
Once the initial task, to rebuild and establish themselves, had been achieved they pushed on after the interval with Wells in particular attacking whenever possible and reaching his half century from 98 balls when hitting Randell for four to deep extra cover three times in one over.
Bell played a great supporting role making 22 from 77 balls in a partnership of 83 in 26 overs that included a five-run penalty awarded against Somerset for fake fielding, much to the visitor’s evident displeasure.
Any frustration felt was soon eased when Bell bottom edged a pull off Gregory onto his stumps midway through the evening session.
But Wells continued to push Lancashire towards a lead of 300 with Balderson taking over the supporting role and surviving a run out appeal just before the close.
Wells finished unbeaten on 78 with Balderson 5 not out and a big day looms for both sides tomorrow.
“That was a brilliant day. It’s what we’ve been after all season,” said Josh Bohannon.
“The fight we showed yesterday - that momentum has carried into today’s performance.
“The bowlers got us back into the game, and the fight we’ve shown as a batting group can ultimately help us get into a position to win this game,” he added.
“It will do the individuals in our group a world of good that they’ve done it against a really good attack on a pitch that still offered something for the bowlers today.
“They bowled really well and at times we’ve learned over the summer to absorb and put pressure back on. I feel today was a good example of that.
“Wellsy at the back end of today had to absorb at first and then we saw the free-flowing batting come out from him tonight.
“The position we’re in is nothing to take lightly.
“We’ve had a good day today but tomorrow we’ve got to come again with the same mindset and get as many as we can and give ourselves something to bowl at.”
Ken Grime
Photos: Barry Mitchell, Luke Adams, Dan Adams, George Franks
