BLOOMIN’ MARVELLOUS
RED ROSE PRODUCE STUNNING FIGHTBACK
GLEN Chapple has seen most things in county cricket, but not even he could remember a Lancashire side turning a game around as dramatically as this.
From 42-6 on day one, being bowled out for 109 and conceding a 169-run first innings lead, Lancashire pulled off a stunning victory over Somerset at Emirates Old Trafford.
And it wasn’t even close in the end, as the Red Rose skittled the visitors out for 130 to claim a 164-run win on the final day of the Specsavers County Championship Division One match at Emirates Old Trafford.
Even England ace Jimmy Anderson – who claimed the key wicket of Marcus Trescothick – tweeted: “One of the best wins I have been involved in.”
After two solid away draws to open the season, Lancashire have already answered some tough critics who expected them to really struggle to stay in the top flight this season.
It is also worth mentioning they pulled off this win without the injured run-machine Shivnarine Chanderpaul and skipper Steven Croft.
Liam Livingstone and Alex Davies were the stars with the bat, pulling Lancashire back into the game on days two and three with a 245-run stand, while Ryan McLaren marked his home debut with another four wickets on the final day to finish the match with eight.
And Chapple believes a win as dramatic as this one can give his team a real boost.
“We could have played better on the first day, I don’t think any pitch at Old Trafford is a 109 all out pitch,” he said.
“But the rest of the game was a sustained effort of determination, quality cricket and a team unit working together. “It is a fabulous way to win. “It needs a remarkable effort from a batting unit to pull a game like this around.
“The stand between Alex and Liam was of a high quality, and it is what we needed to have any chance.
“The level of application we showed was fantastic and a hint at what can be achieved.
“We know we have a lot of promising youngsters, in fact they are more than quality youngsters they are quality cricketers now. But I think it is important we realise that sticking together as a unit carries a hell of a lot of weight.
“We had two performances prior to this that were of high quality, where we didn’t get the win.
“Which is what makes this one important because it shows that all the good work is paying off.
“We had a tough first day, but we created belief that we can get over the line.
“If you have played well but keep drawing, that can sap your belief, but this is a really important one for us. However much you talk about doing the right things and the results will come, you need a result. “But it is only one win.” Lancashire were bowled out for 463 just before lunch on the final day, leaving Somerset with a victory target of 295 from 77 overs.
But that was never on the cards once the Red Rose began to rip into their top order after lunch, with seven wickets falling in the afternoon session, with Jordan Clark (3-12) and McLaren the main destroyers.