Lancashire Vs. Gloucestershire LVCC Day Three.

Lancashire take impressive lead into final day at Liverpool.

Gareth Cross achieved the joint-top score
in Lancashire's second innings with 64.

Despite suffering an early collapse in their second innings, Lancashire hold a commanding position going into the final day at Aigburth - leading by 327 runs. As it stands, Gloucestershire would have to score the largest total of any of the four innings in the match so far and as the 2011 season showed us, chasing at Liverpool is a complex endeavour.

The third day was not always an easy one, with the visitors resuming their impressive fifth-wicket stand between Alex Gidman and Benny Howell. This partnership was eventually broken by Simon Kerrigan who finished with figures of 5-68, but by the time Howell had been caught by Karl Brown, Gloucestershire had reached 155, putting the match in the balance.

But thanks to a collapse from Gloucestershire, which saw five wickets fall for 40 runs, Lancashire were able to restore their strength in this Championship encounter, reducing their opponents to 195-9. Without the efforts of Gidman, who was the last man to go for 110, the visitors would have been treading water, but his singular
contribution gave them a fighting chance.

Kerrigan teamed up with his captain, Glen Chapple (3-58), who was still gleaming after passing 900 first-class wickets yesterday, as Lancashire tightened the screw on their West Country adversaries. However, Gloucestershire were not done yet, as they replicated the resilience in Lancashire's last-wicket stand, adding 27 runs to earn their only batting point. 

Now with a lead of 88, Lancashire's position in the match was daunting, but they experienced a rough patch as they embarked on their second innings. Andrea Agathangelou was dismissed first ball on the innings and, perhaps for the better, Lancashire realised that batting had become hard. Brown's efforts to resist these conditions were eventually brought to a close by Liam Norwell, who finished with 3-80, as the hosts found themselves 25-2.

Stephen Moore's poor form was met by a welcome, and aggressive, accumulation of 34, but he too was removed with Lancashire now feeling the pressure. This situation would continue to depreciate, with Simon Katich, who scored 96 in the first innings, being caught first ball. 

The other performer of the first innings, Steven Croft (62), was also removed cheaply, mustering just five runs, as Lancashire limped to 62-6. Suddenly their 88-run lead seemed invaluable and the only comforting fact was that batting continued to get harder, which would bode well for Lancashire in the long-run.

But Lancs were determined to mount a complex total for the visitors and, initially, this was achieved via Ashwell Prince and Gareth Cross. In a stand worth 85, Lancashire enhanced their lead past 200, approaching Gloucestershire's first innings score. Prince and Cross both scored 64 as the hosts accelerated in the evening session in their bid to win the match. 

When Prince was removed at 147-6, the Lancashire faithful feared a collapse may be on the helm, but, now joined by Wayne White, Cross continued his fine form from the Hampshire match as the sixth-wicket stand acquired an equally impressive 67, before Cross was dismissed. 

Of all three Lancashire batsmen to reach fifty, White (52) was the fastest, coming from just 47 balls, as he and Kyle Hogg (8*) closed the day on 239-7. There is a strong possibility that Lancashire will declare overnight, but there is also an outside chance that they will add a few runs in the morning, to ensure that they cannot lose the match.

Lancashire Vs. Gloucestershire LVCC Day Two.

Chapple passes milestone as Lancs take charge.

Chapple passed 900 first-class wickets
today at Liverpool.

Despite further rain delays at Aigburth, Lancashire enjoyed the majority of the second days play, as their captain, Glen Chapple, passed 900 first-class wickets. Gloucestershire finished the day four down for 143, but in hindsight this may have been a lot worse given their position at 66-4.

Resuming the second day on 175-4, Lancashire still had a great deal of work to do, but Simon Katich and Steven Croft had enjoyed an unbeaten stand of 85 yesterday before rain hit Liverpool. As Lancashire passed their first batting point, both batsman approached their respective milestones, but four runs shy of a century Katich fell to Craig Miles.

Miles was perhaps the star player of the day, in spite of Chapple's accomplishments, finishing with figures of 6-88 as he bludgeoned through the home sides middle-lower order. 

Suddenly from being 209-4, Lancashire slumped to 222-8, losing four wickets for just 13 runs. Croft reached his second fifty in two matches from 86 balls, but after he was dismissed it appeared that the hosts would fall agonisingly short of 250.

Chapple made his first contribution of the day by adding 14, but at 244-9 the next batting point seemed far away. However, thanks to a tenth-wicket stand worth 66 runs between Kyle Hogg (45) and Simon Kerrigan (21*), Lancashire were able to add a further two batting points as they finished on 310.

The visitors made a less than impressive start to their innings, with the captain Michael Klinger giving Chapple his 900th wicket at 4-1. Lancashire made further progress when the remaining opener, Chris Dent also fell to Chapple, with Gloucestershire now on 43-2.

Lancashire made further progress, reducing their guests to 66-4, as Hogg and Wayne White shared a wicket-a-piece. But thanks to Alex Gidman (54*) and Benny Howell (32*) Gloucestershire were able to add 77 runs. 

Lancashire Vs. Gloucestershire LVCC Day One.

Katich restores Lancs at Aigburth. 

Katich's efforts have given Lancs hope.

Lancashire owe a great deal to their Aussie international, as he steered the Red Rose back on course with a valiant knock worth 73 not out after they had stumbled to 26-3. 

Ably assisted by Steven Croft 43*, Lancashire added 85 runs for the fifth wicket before rain wiped out the majority of the evening session. Katich's fifty, coming from 69 balls gave the hosts new hope after their top-order batsmen flopped in the morning session after winning the toss.

Andrea Agathangelou, Stephen Moore and Karl Brown were all dismissed cheaply and Ashwell Prince's efforts only brought 29 runs, as Lancashire crawled to 90-4.

Gloucestershire's early dominance came courtesy of Craig Miles, removing Moore for just 4 - a score which threatens his place further than already thought. Graeme McCarter then dismissed Agathangelou (14) and Brown (1) in quick succession to put Lancashire on the ropes.

Ironically, the ropes were found rarely - that is of course until the fifth wicket, which saw the pair smash fifteen fours and a six.

Photos from day four at Hampshire.

Karl Brown hits one of ten fours.

Andrea Agathangelou scored 49 in the second innings.

Brown lifts the bat for his fifty.

He scored 58 before he was dismissed by Sean Ervine.

Agathangelou scored 170 in
total in the match.

Danny Briggs failed to take a wicket in either innings.

Steven Croft hits a six.

Will Cross hit six?

Yes!

Cross raises the bat for fifty.

Cross hit 12 fours and 2 sixes in his innings of 100.

James Vince had a bowl.

Steven Croft takes a blow.

Croft celebrates fifty.

Croft sweeping.

Croft playing  cover drive.

Cross celebrates his ton.

Cross and Croft shared a stand worth 161.

Jimmy Adams had a go at bowling.

As did Michael Carberry.

Vince has a humorous appeal turned down.

Photos from day three at Hampshire.

Michael Carberry comes close to being bowled.

Bailey drives a four through the covers.

He scored 43 in his 98-run stand with Liam Dawson.

George Bailey hits a six down the ground.

Glen Chappple steams in to the crease.

Luke Procter.

A dejected Stephen Moore leaves the field
after he is dismissed for 13.

Danny Briggs added 31 useful runs.

Karl Brown turns the ball off his pads for four. 

Steven Croft drops Bailey.

Nigel Cowley confirms the dismissal of Briggs. 

Glen Chapple cleanly bowls Sean Ervine.

Moore puts down a hard chance.

And then Michael Bates.

Lancashire celebrate the final wicket of Bailey for 84.

Hampshire Vs. Lancashire LVCC Day Four.

Croft and Cross score centuries in perplexing draw.

The history between these two sides in the Championship has been far from boring and today yet another chapter was written in the bewildering encounters of Lancashire and Hampshire.

At the start of the day, all three results remained to be possible, but what we now know to be a denial to set-up a result from Jimmy Adams before the final day commenced, meant that the match became a meaningless draw.

Given the desire of both sides to return to first division cricket, the declaration offer from Lancashire seemed generous, but when Hampshire refused, it gave the players a chance to earn some valuable form.

The continuation of the fourth-wicket partnership was the highlight of the morning session, as Karl Brown and Andrea Agathangelou persisted to battle against what were in hindsight, front-line bowlers. The former reached his third fifty of the season from 114 balls and, following his score of 121 in the first innings, Agathangelou sought to replicate this feat.

Unfortunately though it was not to be, as he scored 49 runs, falling short of his fifty by the same margin that the fourth-wicket had from reaching one hundred. Nevertheless, Agathangelou’s cumulative total of 170 runs in this match has almost certainly earned him a space in the first team on a permanent basis – a position he has fully earned based on this fixture.

When Brown was dismissed for 58 shortly afterwards, Lancashire were forced to start from scratch with two fresh batsmen – thus commencing the highpoint of the final day. The arrival of the century partnership between Steven Croft and Gareth Cross was sandwiched by both men reaching welcome fifties – Croft’s coming the fastest from 78 balls, but it was Cross who reached his century first.

He reached his third Championship century from 168 deliveries, achieving his first ton in this format since April 2011 versus Sussex. Almost immediately though, he was caught by Chris Wood at square-leg, signaling tea at the Ageas bowl with the visitors in possession of a 335-run lead.

But such a number became trivial, as the evening session proved to prolong this futile encounter. Jimmy Adams, Michael Carberry and James Vince all turned their arm in the final session of the match and Chris Wood’s left-arm spin proved to provide light entertainment to the ever-decreasing population of the crowd.

With that in mind the only remaining purpose of spectatorship was to see whether or not Croft would replicate his former batting partner by reaching one hundred. Now accompanied by Wayne White (29*), Croft continued to add to his total and when he finally passed the formerly mentioned milestone from 147 balls, the game eventually came to a close at 373-6.

For a long time today the main question was why Lancashire had not declared, but in reality they were never going to. Coach Peter Moores said that “we made an offer to Hampshire, but they were not interested an that’s their decision”.

Nobody can see into the future, but it may be prudent to reflect on this fixture in September if either, or indeed both these teams have failed to achieve promotion by a finite margin.

Hampshire Vs. Lancashire LVCC Day Three.

Chapple hauls five wickets as Lancs take charge.

Lancashire captain Glen Chapple acquired figures of 5-55, as the visitors finished the third day of this LV County Championship match with the spoils. Supported by Kyle Hogg (4-76), Lancashire removed seven Hampshire batsmen for 66 runs, as they claimed a healthy and seemingly vital first innings lead of 37 runs.

Despite Lancashire's overall success, the day started and ended with Hampshire having the most enjoyable share of play. Michael Carberry and Liam Dawson continued there unbeaten overnight stand, which was eventually broken two runs short of one hundred. Lancashire's seamers continued to hit a constant line, but failed to break the second wicket stand throughout the morning session.

Instead it was Simon Kerrigan who brought the breakthrough with his first over, Gareth Cross took a sharp catch down leg side to remove Carberry for 43. Hampshire's seamers had no such problem however, reducing their opponents to 27-3 in their second innings.

Patterns began to emerge between the opponents first innings' - firstly the collapse of the middle-order, and secondly the resilience of the tail-Enders. Thanks in large to Australian batsmen George Bailey's score of 84, Hampshire were able to add 94 runs for the final two wickets, but they were unable to match Lancashire's total, as they were all out for 258.

Lancashire managed to recover however, finishing the day on 63-3 with a hundred-run lead, thanks to Karl Brown, and the key player in this match so far, Andrea Agathangelou. 

Hampshire Vs. Lancashire LVCC Day Two.

Agathangelou completes ton but rain prevents progress.

Starting the second day of this LV County Championship encounter on a valiant 93 not out, Andrea Agathangelou completed his maiden century for Lancashire, but heavy rain halted both teams from making further progress. 

With the help of Simon Kerrigan, Agathangelou was able to see Lancashire past 250 to reach their second batting point, but the tenth wicket fell five runs shy of the 300 mark as the centurion was run out by Danny Briggs fielding at square-leg. The last wicket attributed 70 runs out of Lancashire's final total of 295, but after the collapse of the middle-order, this score was certainly a competitive effort from the visitors. 

Hampshire made a cautious start to their innings, failing to register a single run before losing their first wicket. After scoring 66 in the Yorkshire Bank 40 match, Jimmy Adams will be disappointed to have been dismissed by Kyle Hogg for naught. Michael Carberry and Liam Dawson both finished on 2 not out, as heavy rain prevented further play at the Ageas Bowl, but the weather for the next two days promises to be an improvement on what has occurred today. 

Hampshire Vs. Lancashire LVCC Day One.

Agathangelou recovers Lancashire at Ageas Bowl.

Andrea Agathangelou scored 93 not out to
ensure Lancashire reached a respectable score.

After an indifferent start to their first innings, Lancashire excelled to 252-9 by close of play in a day that featured yet more rain interruptions. This recovery was, in large, thanks to Andrea Agathangelou who finished 93 not out. 

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Lancashire were hoping to make a better effort than they had displayed in their Yorkshire Bank 40 encounter and this is exactly what they did. Stephen Moore and Luke Procter were both scoring at a rapid rate, taking Lancashire past fifty after just 9 overs. James Tomlinson's brief disappointment at Moore being dropped was quelled when he edged to James Vince for a useful score of 30.

Karl Brown and Ashwell Prince shone in the YB40 match, but neither could offer any long-term support to Luke Procter, who achieved Lancashire's next highest score of 53. His 112-ball fifty contained 10 fours suggesting there was only one way to play today.

David Balcombe ripped through the Lancashire middle-order, as he finished with the best figures of the innings with 5-92. Surprisingly though it was James Vince who removed the Lancashire opener, as the visitors plodded to 115-4.

Agathangleou reached his maiden half-century from 92 balls as he hit 8 fours and a six to boost Lancashire's score. There was little support support for him though, as Lancashire continued to lose wickets on a regular basis. But towards the end of the day batsmen were able to simply face out the Hampshire bowling attack, allowing Agathangelou to progressively add to his and Lancashire's score.

He and Simon Kerrigan will resume play tomorrow as Lancashire hope to add as many runs to the total before Hampshire's formidable batting line-up start their response. 

Hampshire's innings YB40.

James Vince hits Simon Kerrigan for four.

Michael Carberry striking one of five sixes.

Lancashire celebrate their only wicket,

Jimmy Adams scored 66 not out.

Carberry celebrates his fifty.

One of Carberry's eighteen fours.

In comparison to his 5-19 versus Surrey, Stephen Parry
experienced a tough day with the ball.

Carberry is jumping for joy as he goes to 100.

Before raising the bat to the crowd.

Parry squandered Lancashire's
opportunity to dismiss Carberry.

Carberry hits Kerrigan for six to take him to 150 and give Hampshire a nine wicket victory.