SECOND XI REPORT: Bell 50 helps put Lancashire in strong position
Three wickets in the evening session helped put Lancashire Cricket in a strong position in the Second XI Championship opener away to Northamptonshire at Dunstable Town CC.
Earlier in the day, captain George Bell top scored with a brisk 59, with others in the top five getting starts to help the Red Rose reach 252.
After being asked to bat by the home side, Lancashire piled on the runs in the morning session despite losing Kesh Fonseka early on.
Lancs’ skipper led the charge, scoring his half-century from just 63 balls, hitting nine boundaries. He was well supported by the in-form Harry Singh, who fell just short of a half-century himself. Bell was dismissed two overs before lunch, edging behind to second slip, though helped leave his side in a strong position at the break with 145 on the board.
Following the interval, Joe Moores looked to capitalise on that platform. He struck three boundaries in a row off Tiaan Louw, including a textbook straight drive down the ground.
Despite a stand of 52 between Rocky Flintoff (32) and Moores, Lancashire could only muster another 107 in the afternoon session, eventually getting bowled out for 252. Bell’s 59 and 41 each for both Moores and Singh were the standout knocks for the Red Rose.
Lancs needed to make quick inroads in the evening session, and they did just that.
Tom Walker had the new ball talking early, bowling three consecutive maiden overs and eventually taking the wicket of Gus Miller. He found the outside edge of the Northants opener, with Luke Hands taking the catch.
Ollie Sutton followed suit one over later. The left armer swung one back into Rob Keogh and beat his defences, hitting middle stump with a peach of a delivery. Just three balls later, the left-armer had his second. He trapped Aadi Sharma LBW to leave the hosts reeling at 13-3. Louis Kimber and Stuart van der Merwe were able to see Northants through to the close without losing another wicket.
Lancs go into Day 2 in a strong position, 210 runs ahead with the home side 42-3.
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