SECOND XI REPORT: Bell hits unbeaten century against Worcestershire
George Bell made his highest score for Lancashire on the opening day of the Second XI Championship Group 1 match against Worcestershire with the Red Rose side reaching 312-6 in their first innings by the close at Southport & Birkdale CC.
The first half of the day had produced a fairly even contest after the hosts had opted to bat with Lancashire losing wickets regularly to be 119-5 by early afternoon.
Kesh Fonseka was bowled for 1 by a good yorker from left arm pace bowler Ben Gibbon in the second over of the morning and he was followed by Rocky Flintoff who edged a lifting delivery from Ben Allison to wicketkeeper Seth Essenhigh for 4, Harry Singh lbw for 16 to a nip backer by Harry Darley who then had George Balderson caught at first slip for 2.
When Arav Shetty punched a short, wide delivery from Allison to Toby Cox at mid-off for 8 in the seventh over after lunch, the visitors probably sensed a good opportunity.
But Bell, coming in at number four, had stood firm at the other end reaching his fifty off 53 balls before the break and he proceeded to dominate proceedings thereafter and found good support from Tom Bailey in a partnership of 122 runs for the sixth wicket.
Bell went to his second century for the Second XI off 145 balls when driving his 16th four just before tea, with Lancashire 199-5 at the interval and the pair posted their century partnership off 215 balls moments before Bailey reached his half century off 117 balls.
Bailey departed for 62 from the fifth delivery with the new ball after driving Allison fiercely to Rehann Edavalath at cover but Ollie Sutton provided further good support with an unbeaten 31 to help add 71 runs during the final hour.
Bell reached his 150 off 241 balls and had hit 22 fours by the close to remain unbeaten on 172 at stumps.
TEAMS
Lancashire: Harry Singh, Kesh Fonseka, Rocky Flintoff, George Bell (wkt), Arav Shetty, George Balderson (capt), Tom Bailey, Ollie Sutton, Josh Boyden, Charlie Barnard, Will Williams, Mitch Stanley.
Worcestershire: Isaac Mohammed, Rehann Edavalath (capt), HM Nicholls, Seth Essenhigh (wkt), Jack Home, Ben Allison, Rob Jones, Ben Gibbon, Toby Cox, Harry Darley, Yadvinder Singh, Thilan Walallawita.