MATCH REPORT: Bailey claims four as Lancashire get among the wickets
Today's match report presented by C&C Insurance Brokers
Lancashire got among the wickets as this rain-affected Rothesay County Championship match against Middlesex finally got under way on the second day at Emirates Old Trafford.
Four wickets for Tom Bailey and two in two balls by Tom Aspinwall led an excellent effort with the ball by the Red Rose attack, countered by half centuries from Josh de Caiires and Ben Geddes as Middlesex made 189-8 from the 44 overs possible amid the interruptions from further showers.
After the entire first day was lost to rain, play finally began at noon and Middlesex quickly lost two wickets after being put in to bat.
Bailey struck first, the ball after he had being nicely clipped for four through midwicket by Sam Robson, the bowler adjusting his line and length to have the visitor’s opener nicely caught low down at second slip by Keaton Jennings for 9.
That breakthrough was followed by James Anderson finding an edge as Luke Hollman pushed forward defensively and caught by Michael Jones at first slip for 0.
That left Middlesex on 12-2, but rain immediately halted play for two and a quarter-hours either side of lunch.
De Caires and Leus du Plooy settled into a good partnership punctuated by two more stoppages before tea as the pair took advantage of the attacking fields set by Lancashire with a series of good strokes.
Their 50 partnership came off 42 balls in just thirty minutes of play from the first ball after tea but four runs later Aspinwall hit back with two wickets in two balls.
Du Plooy attempted an ambitious drive that he edged to wicketkeeper Matty Hurst while Ryan Higgins played back to a seaming delivery that flew to Jones at first slip to have Middlesex 66-4.
De Caires and Geddes steadied the innings with a 54-run partnership with the former reaching a nicely compiled half century from 65 balls although fortunate to escape on 46 when Bailey failed to hold on to a juggling catch off his own bowling.
The bowler made quick amends by having de Caires caught behind attempting to drive after making 52, before Josh Bohannon – bowling medium pace – struck with his first delivery to bowl Joe Cracknell for 6 with a beauty.
Geddes, who pulled three sixes into the empty party stand at midwicket, reached his fifty from 80 balls but departed for 52 shortly before the close after edging Bailey to second slip where Jennings took a good catch above his head.
And Bailey (4-60) rounded off an excellent session by having Seb Morgan caught behind from the last ball of the day.
“It was a really nice wicket to bowl on, the lads enjoyed it very much,” said Tom Bailey.
“It's the most grass we've seen on an Old Trafford wicket in a long time so we were praying for Jimmy to win the toss.
“We know what the wickets can be like most of the time, so yeah, to turn up and see that, it was refreshing.
“It was nice (getting a wicket the last ball). I was pretty sure the lbw was out, so we'll take it.”
Bailey enjoyed the wicket taken by Josh Bohannon saying:
“It was Bosh’s first wicket in five years, I think. He's been working really hard in the nets, so I was pleased for him.
It’s a game with not a great deal riding on it as far the top of the table is concerned, but Bailey added;
“It’s been a tough couple of years for the whole squad and for Lancs in general.
“ We spoke in the dressing room that if we can end well and take that into next season, that was the best way forward. It's more experience to take into next season.
“Figure out what you need to work on in the winter and then hit the ground running again.”
Ken Grime
Photos: Luke Adams, Dan Adams
