Jones and Vilas join forces to stop Durham squeeze on Lancashire
At Sedbergh Lancashire 275-5 v Durham
A crucial fifth-wicket partnership of 87 runs between Rob Jones and captain Dane Vilas ensured Lancashire edged out day one against Durham as Sedbergh School hosted its inaugural first-class match.
The hosts reached 275 for five at the close of play after a potentially difficult day on a demanding pitch was rescued by the fifth-wicket pair who showed great patience in the face of some accurate bowling.
An overcast morning at Lancashire’s 13th first-class home venue saw Durham elect to field, with opening bowler Chris Rushworth making an early breakthrough when he clean bowled Keaton Jennings for 11 in the ninth over.
At the other end, Alex Davies was in pugnacious form as he looked to
drive down the ground at every opportunity. However, resuming on 71 for one after the break, Davies fell quickly after he received a brute of a ball from Brydon Carse, which he feathered through to wicketkeeper Ned Eckersley for 38.
Durham proceeded to put the squeeze on Lancashire who struggled to find any gaps.
Haseeb Hameed was the next batsman to fall, edging Ben Raine to Durham captain Cameron Bancroft for 24, with the score 81 for three and the visitors well on top.
Liam Livingstone and Jones progressed the score to 136 for three by the time the players departed the field due to bad light.
Jones took full advantage of his let-off on 12 when he was dropped by Eckersley off Rushworth.
Livingstone had reached 35 from 96 balls before he became Nathan Rimmington’s first victim following a vociferous lbw appeal after tea, which left Lancashire 141 for four.
Villas joined Jones and they dominated the final session, until the 23-year-old was trapped in front by Rushworth for an excellent 52.
Steven Croft edged an easy chance to Alex Lees at first slip, but survived and had progressed to 29 not out by the close of play with Vilas unbeaten on 67.