Lancashire fight back after Bell innings.

Lancashire claimed five wickets for 44 runs in the final session to fight back against Warwickshire.

Warwickshire compounded their already dominant position over Lancashire on day two, despite Glen Chapple becoming the 15th man to take 900 first-class wickets for the Red Rose outfit, as the visitors posted 316-9.

Ian Bell made a fluent 75 to take Warwickshire into the lead, but Lancashire fought back in the final session, claiming five wickets for 44 runs as they ripped through a daunting batting outfit.

Warwickshire resumed on 63-0 and the first session, in large, served to extend the fluency established by overnight openers, Varun Chopra (52) and William Porterfield (77), who continued to flourish this morning.  

Their stand worth 127 for the first wicket frustrated the Lancashire seamers who bowled well but were unable to come close to finding a breakthrough.

The introduction of Simon Kerrigan saw Warwickshire lose their first wicket after Porterfield danced down the wicket, chipping the ball to Wayne White, postponing the Irish international of his first century for Warwickshire’s first team, despite reaching his highest score for the club since April 2012.

In search of his 900th wicket, captain Glen Chapple (2-47) persisted in his efforts to turn the game around and was rewarded with the wicket of Chopra who was trapped LBW, signaling lunch at 144-2.

Bell made a patient 75 to steer the visitors into the lead.

But this wicket brought Ian Bell to the crease and after scoring an unbeaten 189 against Sussex; he showed no signs of his form wavering, frustrating Lancashire for the remainder of play.

Tom Smith continued to impress with the ball after his efforts at Trent Bridge, eventually breaking the defence of Laurie Evans who was caught superbly by Luis Reece for 17.

Ateeq Javid joined Bell at 161-3 and the Warwickshire innings continued to flourish. Their fourth-wicket stand added 68 to Warwickshire’s total and their patience served to deject the Lancashire side after their inadequate batting display.

Javid’s patient 25 came to an end when he picked out Kerrigan at point and the Lancashire squad became revitalized in the final session of play, taking six wickets for 77 runs to claw their way back into the match.

Jos Buttler claimed his first catch for Lancashire as Tom Smith (4-67) returned to cause damage with the ball, removing Tim Ambrose (23) and Chris Woakes (3) in identical fashion.

Warwickshire passed Lancashire’s first innings total, but all was not as comfortable as it had been for the visitors, who batted slowly to edge their way into the lead.

Wayne White (2-71) had battled all day without reward and was finally compensated after he claimed the valuable wicket of Ian Bell, shortly followed by Jeetan Patel as Buttler claimed a third catch.

Smith struck again to remove Chris Wright LBW before bad light brought play to a premature end with Warwickshire leading by 69 runs.