Wells digs deep to win it for Lancs
LUKE Wells says he fulfilled a dream as he helped Lancashire secure a stunning win over defending champions Warwickshire to strengthen their LV =Insurance County Championship title hopes.
The batter scored a magnificent unbeaten 175 as the Red Rose chased down 329 in a day and four overs to claim victory at Edgbaston with four balls to spare.
At one point they looked in trouble on 93-4 but Wells, who hit 22 fours and a six from 280 balls, batted beautifully alongside Rob Jones (66) in a fifth-wicket stand of 162 in 45 overs to put the Red Rose on course for a win which leaves them third in the table, 19 points behind unbeaten leaders Surrey.
“Playing a big innings and seeing your team over the line to victory is what you always dream about,” said Wells.
“It is something you always say... ‘be there, not out, having won the game’ and it happens so rarely, so for it to happen in a high run-chase, that is what it’s all about. We are really chuffed.
“The last day really ebbed and flowed. Before play we all thought we could win the game, then we lost a couple of wickets and had to rebuild and absorb the pressure.
“Then Dane (Vilas) getting run out backing up made you think maybe it wasn’t our day, but the pitch flattened out and four-day batting is all about wearing the bowlers down.
“I was so pleased for Rob, who batted so well. He is a great man and has really found his feet now this season and is beautifully balanced and playing really well.
I’m so, so pleased for him.
“It is really pleasing because Warwickshire have had the wood on us in the last couple of games, pipping us for the title last year and then the Bob Willis Trophy as well.”
Lancashire resumed on the final morning on five without loss, needing to make the highest total of the match to win. They added only another 14 before Olly HannonDalby struck twice in an over. Keaton Jennings edged to third slip and, three balls later, Josh Bohannon fell lbw.
When Steven Croft was lured into driving at a wideish ball from Henry Brookes and edged to wicketkeeper Michael Burgess, the Red Rose were 53-3.
Dane Vilas’ frustrating match with the bat then continued. Given out caught when he appeared not to have hit the ball in the first innings, his second knock ended in different but equally exasperating fashion when he was run out backing up.
A sweetly-timed straight drive from Wells was diverted onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end by Liam Norwell – rotten luck for the Lancashire captain.
But Wells and Jones steadied the ship and lead them to victory.