Lancs assume control as Bohannon hits 75
LANCASHIRE are in control of their Bob Willis Trophy match against Durham at Emirates Riverside, holding a lead of 104 runs over the home side after day two.
Josh Bohannon notched the fifth half-century of his first-class career, scoring a patient 75 to provide the foundation of the visitors’ innings.
The Red Rose added two batting bonus points to their tally aided by a valuable knock from Luke Wood in the lower order.
Durham’s bowlers persevered throughout the day with Matt Salisbury and Ben Raine taking three wickets apiece. However, they face a major effort to launch a comeback on the third day with their hopes in the competition hanging in the balance.
The hosts made immediate inroads into the Lancashire batting line-up as Raine struck three deliveries into the morning session.
Alex Davies was late withdrawing his bat on an attempted leave and could only edge the ball into the hands of David Bedingham. Chris Rushworth maintained the intensity from the Lumley End. He ended Keaton Jennings’ stay at the crease, finding his outside edge before Alex Lees claimed the catch at third slip at the third attempt.
Bohannon and Dane Vilas steadied the ship after the loss of the openers, although both batsmen
Bohannon notched the fifth half-century of his first-class career, scoring a patient 75
were forced to be on their guard amid tight bowling from the hosts. Rushworth believed that he had notched his second wicket of the morning, nipping one back into Bohannon’s pads, only to see his appeal turned down. Bohannon and Vilas grinded their way to their 50 partnership from 112 balls before the Lancashire skipper was dismissed. Vilas survived an lbw appeal from Rushworth, but then nicked off on the stroke of lunch to Gareth Harte for a solid innings of 32.
Liam Livingstone attempted to provide impetus after the restart, scoring boundaries off Raine and Harte. However, a change in ball resulted in his downfall, driving on the up against Raine, only to edge into the hands of Bedingham.
Bohannon’s resistance continued, although he did earn a slice of fortune, edging narrowly wide of gully after Brydon Carse found the outside edge. The 23-year-old passed 50 for the first time in the campaign.
Steven Croft combined with Bohannon to whittle down Durham’s advantage. In the 58th over, the visitors forged ahead, but Salisbury broke the stand for the fifth wicket at 48, pinning Croft lbw for 16.
Salisbury could have removed George Balderson for a duck, but Sean Dickson put down a routine chance at first slip. After tea, Lancashire pressed on and secured their first batting point, although Rushworth
soon returned to prise out Balderson for 11 as Bedingham held on at second slip.
The visitors pressed as Wood added quick runs, notching five boundaries. Bohannon’s innings came to an end on 75 when he was clean bowled by Salisbury, losing his off-stump in the process.
Wood ensured that Lancashire added another point to their total, driving Salisbury straight down the ground. Raine dismissed Liam Hurt to claim his third scalp. The lefthander made the most of his opportunity pressing his score within sight of a deserved fifty. Salisbury returned to end Wood’s hopes, knocking out his middle stump for 46 before the close.
● Durham 180 v Lancashire 284-9