MATCH REPORT: Maiden first-class wicket for Walkden on rain-shortened day against Northamptonshire
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Ben Walkden claimed his maiden wicket on debut during a rain-shortened opening day against Northamptonshire who closed on 56-2 from the 18 overs possible in this Rothesay County Championship Division Two match at Emirates Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old all-rounder from Newton-le-Willows, who signed his first professional rookie contract with Lancashire only two weeks ago, struck with the 17th ball of his top-flight career when he had Calvin Harrison caught for 1 at mid-off.
Walkden was one of a number of changes to the Red Rose line-up as the first of the final six games left in this season’s Championship began, making his debut alongside a first appearance by Pakistan spinner Noman Ali and with Rocky Flintoff making his first County Championship appearance since September 2024.
Ricardo Vasconcelos and Luke Procter made a brisk start in the face of some wayward bowling after being put in by stand-in skipper Josh Bohannon when play finally began at 3.30pm.
Procter helped himself to four early boundaries with the Northamptonshire opening pair having 41 runs on the board after 11 overs before a double bowling change brought instant reward.
It was George Balderson who made the first breakthrough, trapping Vasconcelos lbw for 11 with his sixth delivery, and that was followed by Bohannon leaping high to take a stunning overhead catch to give Walkden his maiden first-class wicket when Harrison drove to mid-off for 1.
After one further delivery to complete a memorable 18th over, the umpires took the players off for bad light with Northamptonshire 56-2, Procter 26 not out, McSweeney 0 not out.
Further rain swiftly followed to end proceedings for the day at 5.30pm.
“Unbelievable,” was the reaction of Ben Walkden after making his debut.
“Obviously it was a proud moment to make my debut at Lancashire.
“I was a bit nervous that first over, but as soon as it got past that, Bosh just said, be boring, and that was it.
“I just felt in good rhythm this year with the ball, so after that, just got a lot of confidence from Bosh and the lads, and it was good to get one away. I’m over the moon.
“As soon as he (Bohannon) got up there for the catch, that was it, I was off. He absolutely loved it, so that was a great catch."
It’s been a great season so far for the all-rounder, and Walkden added:
“I took over the captaincy at Newton-le-Willows for the last two years, opening the batting and the bowling, and I've sort of just took my bowling to a bit of a new level. I've been away the last couple of winters to Australia and worked pretty hard.
“I came through the Lancashire Academy a couple of years ago, had time away, and just worked hard at my game, so I didn't really think that this was ever out of the reach.
“You just bang on the door, take wickets, score some runs, and just see where you are, and obviously I got that opportunity in the second team, and then been thrown in the last couple of weeks in the one-day stuff in the squad, and I absolutely loved it.
“It's been a bit of a whirlwind in a couple of weeks.
“My mum, dad and my grandma came today and then just a couple of mates came last minute. I think a couple of them have took an early weekend tomorrow!
“I'm going to enjoy the weekend, I think, hopefully get over the line with a win.”
Ken Grime
Photos: Dan Adams
