Lancashire Collapse Under Floodlights, Forced to Follow-On Against Kent
In a dramatic turn of events at Old Trafford, Lancashire found themselves in a precarious position after being bundled out for a paltry 92 against Kent. Forced to follow-on, the home side stumbled further, losing three quick wickets just before stumps.
The match unfolded under fickle weather conditions, with the sky interchangeably frowning and fretful. Lancashire’s downfall was orchestrated by outstanding seam bowling, compounded by the occasional lapse in concentration.
Wes Agar, thundering in from the Statham End, was the chief architect of Lancashire’s woes, enticing Luke Wells to edge to second slip and then removing Keaton Jennings and Tom Bruce in successive deliveries. Nathan Gilchrist also operated with steely menace, picking up a career-best six for 24 to dismantle the middle order.
Only Matty Hurst, swinging the bat with abandon, managed to take Lancashire past their lowest score against Kent – 61, set in 1884. Lancashire’s second attempt looked steadier, until they lost three wickets for three runs just before stumps, leaving them 50 runs behind.
While the home side awaited the outfield to dry in the morning, there was a glimmer of hope as Saqib Mahmood was spotted going through his paces. The pacer, who missed the 2023 season due to a second stress fracture, has been working his way back to fitness in the Lancashire second XI, captaining the side and bowling shorter spells.
Elsewhere:
- Somerset secured a three-wicket victory over Essex in just two days at Taunton.
- Yorkshire’s Joe Root and Finlay Bean put on a 201-run partnership against Glamorgan at Headingley.
- Leicestershire’s Peter Handscomb made a painstaking first century against Middlesex.
- Cheteshwar Pujara’s unbeaten hundred helped put Sussex in a strong position against Derbyshire.
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