SECOND XI REPORT: Fonseka & Singh put on record unbeaten 346-run opening stand
An extraordinary 346-run partnership between Lancashire Cricket openers Kesh Fonseka and Harry Singh put the Red Rose in a superb position against Northamptonshire in the Second XI Championship game at Dunstable Town CC.
It is a record opening partnership for Lancashire's 2nd XI, beating a long standing record 341 from April 1996. That was struck by Nathan Wood and Paddy McKeown against Kent at Canterbury. Foneska and Singh have eclipsed that, and are still going.
Earlier in the day, the Red Rose bowled the home side for 153, giving them an already strong lead of 99, with Charlie Parkinson picking up three wickets.
Lancashire started the day in much the same fashion as they ended the previous one, taking three quick wickets. Luke Hands squared up Stuart van der Merwe, catching the outside edge of the left-hander’s bat, with Joe Moores taking a good catch.
That was followed up superbly by Parkinson. He dismissed the dangerous Louis Kimber, caught at second slip by Singh, and Adam Fox, who was out hooking a short ball.
Justin Broad proved to be the main thorn in Lancs’ side. He top scored for the hosts, hitting a steady 54, and was well supported by skipper Dom Leech (19).
Wickets continued to tumble, though. Leech was caught behind off the bowling of Tom Walker and George Scrimshaw was run out by Foneska after a mix-up in the middle.
When Broad edged behind to George Bell off the bowling of Parkinson, the hosts were bowled out for 153, still 99 behind the Red Rose.
With a strong lead to build on, openers Fonseka and Singh wasted no time. A 15 over stint before the tea interval saw the pair double Lancs’ lead. Both batters reached 45 not out by the break, the standout shot surely a well-struck hook for six from Fonseka over square leg.
Lancs’ openers raced to their 50s shortly after tea, bringing up a century partnership in the process, which they reached from just 91 balls.
The runs continued to flow for the pair. The 200-run partnership came up just past the 30 over mark, with both batters soon reaching their own centuries. Singh did so off 94 balls, striking 12 fours and a six off the bowling of Rob Keogh over long-off. Fonseka hit 14 boundaries and cleared the rope once on his way to three figures, facing 120 deliveries.
After just over three hours at the crease, the Red Rose openers brought up the 300 partnership, and each reached 150 moments later.
When stumps rolled around at 7:28pm, it brought the curtain down on an unforgettable day. Fonseka (159 not out) and Singh (162 not out) put on a sensational unbeaten stand of 346 from just 62 overs. Not only is that now Lancs' record for the first wicket, but it's the eighth best opening partnership in Second XI Championship history.
Lancashire go into Day 3 in a fantastic position, with a 445-run lead, 10 wickets in hand and two batters at the crease who are playing one of the best knocks of their careers to date.
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