Red Rose close to unlikely win
MATTHEW Parkinson admits Lancashire were left frustrated after they failed to secure what would have been an unlikely victory over Somerset at Emirates Old Trafford.
Heading into the final day of the Specsavers County Championship, Somerset were just 12 runs behind with all of their second innings wickets left.
But the pitch, which had been a batting paradise for the opening three days, began to turn and all of a sudden Lancashire were sniffing victory.
Spinner Parkinson got the victory chase started by claiming the scalp of Matt Renshaw, and George Bartlett soon followed, trapped lbw for Jimmy Anderson’s only wicket of the match.
Parkinson then put paid to James Hildreth and Steve Davies, with Lewis Gregory also falling to Joe Mennie caught by skipper Liam Livingstone.
And when Tom Abell went lbw to Parkinson, Somerset were 145-6, a lead of less than 100, and unsure whether Marcus Trescothick would be able to bat having broken his metatarsal while making a century on the opening day of the game.
But Somerset dug in, with Jack Leach the thorn in Lancashire’s side. He shared a 52-run stand with Craig Overton and 69 with Tim Groenewald.
The spinner battled to a career best 66 in 131 balls and by the time he was bowled for Parkinson’s fifth wicket, Somerset were safe and the players shook hands with the visitors 269-8.
“It was obviously frustrating,” said Parkinson.
“It was a big ask to try and get ten wickets in one day on quite a placid track when only 20 had fallen in the first three days.
“But when we got Abell and then we got Craig Overton we had hopes of forcing something, but fair play to Leachy for a No.9 or 10 batter, he did very well.”
Lancashire have lost two and drawn two of their opening four games, and travel to Trent Bridge to face Division One leaders Nottinghamshire on Friday.
“To lose two and draw two is disappointing,” said head coach Glen Chapple. “But the cricket we’ve played in the last two matches is very encouraging.
“I think most people who have watched the start of the season know the first two or three rounds are something of a lottery. We know we could have done certain things better.
“But the last two games we’ve dominated against two good teams. So we’ve got to take a lot of heart from that, and go into next week with a lot of confidence.”