Lancashire Vs. Glamorgan LVCC day four.

Kerrigan magic unable to earn Lancs win.

Kerrigan took 5-53 in the second innings
but he could not force a result.

Simon Kerrigan finished with match figures of 12-252, as the final day of Lancashire’s draw with Glamorgan proved to be closer than first thought, despite the players shaking hands early.

Glamorgan’s defiance came in the form of Gareth Rees whose unbeaten 107 saw off any chances of a repeat of Colwyn Bay.

The left-arm spinner is now Lancashire’s leading wicket taker so far in this seasons County Championship, with 44 dismissals in 10 matches, narrowly leading his team mates Kyle Hogg (35) and Glen Chapple (41).

At the start of the final day an early finish was the prevailing opinion, and although this turned out to be the case, the match took an unexpected twist, thanks to Kerrigan’s ongoing form.

Glamorgan were reduced to 98-5 in their second innings, as Kerrigan took 4 wickets in 15 balls, but the visitors managed to battle against the odds to earn a draw.

Rees continued his fine form, leading Glamorgan’s innings with his second 50 of the game and he finished unbeaten alongside former Lancashire all-rounder, Nathan McCullum (35*).

Rees continued to resist the Lancashire onslaught, as he watched several wickets fall. These included the valuable removal of Murray Goodwin (10) who had fallen short of a double hundred in the first innings and Jim Allenby, whose 92 was followed by a first-ball duck when he was bowled by Kerrigan, who took all five second innings wickets.

The hosts strong performance with the bat had given them an imposing total of 567 all out, a record versus Glamorgan, and with a lead of 93 anything was possible, but time proved to be against them.

Luke Procter had earlier added 22 to his overnight score of 53, before he was bowled by McCullum, but Lancashire’s middle-lower order batsmen proved useful in extending the lead further.

Gareth Cross became the fifth Lancashire player to reach 50 and eventually fell for 64 and captain Chapple added an entertaining 31, with both men stumped off the bowling of Dean Cosker (3-133).

Debutant Arron Lilley played with the confidence of Chapple, despite his tender age, and made an impressive 35 not out, with Kerrigan the last man out to Kiwi McCullum, who took 5-191.