Jennings falls short of ton but Red Rose in command

KEATON Jennings narrowly missed out on a century as Lancashire built a promising position on the second day of the LV= Insurance County Championship match with Gloucestershire at Bristol.

The opener hit 94, off 152 balls, with 15 fours and a six, helping his side reach 226-4 in their first innings by the close, 111 behind. Steven Croft was unbeaten on 49.

Gloucestershire had been bowled out for 337 from an overnight 279-7, Chris Dent falling for 110 and Zafar Gohar a valuable 62, his highest score for Gloucestershire.

Jack Morley finished with 4-91. On a benign pitch, the total looked below par and a second-wicket stand of 115 between Jennings and Josh Bohannon paved the way for Lancashire to make serious inroads.

“I was disappointed to get out when I did, not for personal reasons, but because I thought Steven Croft and I were just getting into a really good position to push on and get the team on top,” said Jennings.

“Happily, Crofty and Phil Salt have finished the day really strongly for us and the game is pretty well poised. I think it could be set up for a close finish.

“How we handle the second new ball could be crucial to the outcome.”

■ LANCASHIRE’S Kate Cross hailed South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp’s ‘outstanding’ 150 as the visitors finished 284 all out on day one of the only Test of the summer at Taunton.

Kapp came to the crease with South Africa 45-4 and steered her side out of trouble with a maiden Test century, finishing with 150 from 213 deliveries.

Cross was handed a new role as opening bowler and finished with four wickets.

“I thought Kapp was absolutely outstanding,” Cross said. “To say that we’ve not played much Test cricket, I mean it’s probably eight years since they’ve played. Just how she manipulated the field, how she manoeuvred others, how she played us.”