SECOND XI: Hartley ton puts Lancashire in strong position
Lancashire Cricket’s Second XI are in a commanding position after a strong Day Two in their Championship match against Derbyshire at Northern CC, thanks to a Tom Hartley century.
The Red Rose had a day of batting ahead of them, having bowled the visitors out on the opening day of the game. Kesh Fonseka and Michael Jones opened the batting and did not hang around.
The pair flew out of the blocks, and just an hour and a half into the morning session, had already put 100 on the board. Foneska led the way with an enterprising knock of 54, which included 10 boundaries, and was well supported by 38 from Jones.
Their partnership was broken with 104 on the board, after Fonseka was caught behind, feathering to the wicketkeeper who was stood up to the stumps. Jones fell the very next ball, at the start of a new over, strangling one down leg-side.
Captain George Bell (18) and the in-form Rocky Flintoff (37) rebuilt. They battled hard either side of lunch but fell atoningly short of a half-century partnership when Bell was also caught behind.
Derbyshire continued to chip away. 10 overs later, Flintoff was out bowled, and Matty Hurst (9) had also been dismissed, once again caught behind, to leave the Red Rose 172-5.
That brought Hartley to the crease. He quickly got into his work, and, alongside George Harris, began to rebuild Lancs’ innings. They quickly took the team total past the 200-run mark and reached their 50 partnerships from just 49 balls, a sign of the intent with which they batted.
Harris brought up his half-century just before tea but was dismissed just four balls later for a very well-made 50 off 57 balls. He and Hartley were just short of their 100-run partnership but had put Lancs in a good position ahead of the final session.
The loss of that wicket did not stop Hartley. He continued to motor, passing 50 just after the break and working well with Ben Walkden, who was at the other end.
The all-rounder reached the milestone by dancing down the pitch and hitting spinner Joe Hawkins back over his head for four. A few overs later, he did the same again, except this time he cleared the rope.
Meanwhile, Walkden was going about his business in excellent fashion. He also reached his 50 with a boundary, leaning into an exquisite cover drive to do so. The pair reached their century partnership in 100 balls, again a sign of the attacking intent they batted with.
Hartley looked in imperious form and continued to dominate the Derbyshire bowlers. He reached his century at a run a ball, tucking it into the leg side and jogging through for a single to bring it up.
The 150-run partnership was reached not long after, with Hartley launching Matt Stewart for six back over his head.
Walkden was closing in on his century too but fell agonisingly short. Just 10 runs shy of his ton, he mistimed a drive and was caught in the covers, getting dismissed for an exceptional 90 off 126 balls.
Lancashire ended the day on 447-7, with a lead of 156. Hartley will resume Day three on 122, looking to kick on and put the Red Rose in an even stronger position.