Interview: Josh Bohannon reflects on Northamptonshire game
Lancashire Cricket vice-captain Josh Bohannon said it will “sting for a few days” after his side's Rothesay County Championship defeat to Northamptonshire last week.
The Red Rose, captained by Bohannon in Sir James Anderson’s absence, were comprehensively beaten by Darren Lehmann’s side at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
Reflecting on the result at the end of Day Four, Bohannon admitted his side were second best throughout the game.
“It’s pretty obvious we were out skilled in probably every facet of the game. It’s obviously frustrating, it stings. It’ll probably sting for a few days now. Pretty frustrating, obviously, to not be getting the results and putting in the performances that we want as individuals and as a team.
“We’re chatting all the time, it feels like we’re having good chats. It feels like the work that the boys are putting in during practice, with the coaches, is really valuable.
“It feels like we’re making forward strides with that. Just, ultimately, it’s not quite translating out into the middle yet.”
Whilst things have been tough in recent weeks, this is a Lancashire squad littered with experience and quality. The likes of Marcus Harris and Keaton Jennings opened the batting against Northants, with exciting talents like Rocky Flintoff and Joe Moores both featuring.
The Red Rose vice-captain said his side are working hard to turn their form around and end the season on a high note, despite the recent struggles.
“We’ve got two lads at the top that have played test cricket [Harris and Jennings],” Bohannon explained.
“They are incredible batters, and a lot of the experience is in that top three. Unfortunately, like I said before, it’s not gone how we want. No one means to underperform; no one means to get out.
“I’m not making excuses, but everyone is obviously trying their best and ticking every box in practice. Unfortunately, it’s where we find ourselves. I’m not quite sure what else to say on that other than, we just need people to stand up and fight for this team.”
Whilst the result was a tough pill to swallow, the number three says a tight schedule can benefit his side as they look to get back to winning ways.
The next game for the Red Rose sees them face Worcestershire at New Road, a game which starts on Thursday, leaving them with little time to dwell on the loss to Northants.
“Winning becomes a habit, and hopefully, these next five games we can turn it around, starting next week at Worcester. That could hopefully start the next five weeks to be really exciting, and a good five weeks for us as a team and as a club.
“With the schedule, there’s obviously not a great [amount of] time in terms of being able to finish a game, get a good rest, come back, practice the things that you want to do.
“We know that’s how the county game works and whatever time we do get to practice, or recover, whatever that might be, then we need to make sure we’re making the most of that time.”
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