SECOND XI REPORT Fifties for Bell and Fonseka as Lancashire lead at Weetwood
George Bell and Kesh Fonseka both made half centuries as Lancashire established a first innings lead of 130 against Leeds/Bradford University on the second day of this three-day friendly. By the close a further wicket in the match for Saqib Mahmood had helped leave the hosts on 68-3 in their second innings, still trailing by 62 runs.
Resuming on 113-1, Bell and Fonseka pushed on to extend their second wicket partnership to 153 runs before Bell was bowled by seamer Charlie Dunnett for 70. Fonseka, having brought up his fifty from 87 balls, fell in identical fashion two overs later after making 73 (including one six and 13 fours).
The Leeds/Bradford University attack then enjoyed further success during the afternoon as Lancashire lost five wickets for 43, Mahmood departing for 6 followed by Josh Boyden (run out for 2), Joe Chapple (23), George Harris – who had replaced the injured Gennaro Reddy – for 1 and Mitch Stanley for 14.
That left Lancashire 22 runs ahead and the lead was steadily boosted by an excellent partnership of 96 in 24 overs for the ninth wicket between Charlie Barnard, who made an unbeaten 49, and Haider Hussain with 43 as the Red Rose side were bowled out for 323, Henry Pearson taking 3-23 for the hosts.
Facing a 130-run deficit, Leeds/Bradford University suffered early losses once more at the start of their second innings, Mahmood picking up the wicket of Nico Boje for 4 during his third five-over spell in the match, returning figures of 5-3-8-1, while Stanley bowled Tom Moulton for 9.
Just before the close, leg spinner Hussain trapped home skipper Stuart van der Merwe lbw for 25 to leave Leeds/Bradford University on 68-3 with opener Aman Hussain 25 not out and Dunnett on 1.
TEAMS
Lancashire: Harry Singh, George Bell, Kesh Fonseka, Gennaro Reddy, Jack Blatherwick, Josh Boyden, Saqib Mahmood, Charlie Barnard, Hassan Mughal, Haider Hussain, Joe Chapple, Mitch Stanley.
Substitute: George Harris for Gennaro Reddy (injury) at the start of day 2.
Leeds/Bradford UCCE: Nico Boje, Aman Hussain, Tom Moulton, Tim Lloyd, Stuart van der Merwe (capt/wicketkeeper), Charlie Dunnett, Henry Pearson, Stanley Brown, Archie Houghton, Calum Fletcher, Liam Bulteel, Isaac Bepey.