Chapple leads Lancashire fightback.

Glen Chapple led by example as Lancashire fought their way back into contention against Nottinghamshire, claiming 4-73 as the visitors lost their final seven wickets for 103 runs.

The Lancashire veteran was aided by the counties top wicket-taker, Tom Smith, who claimed 3-44 as he and Chapple excelled in favourable conditions for seam bowlers.

Lancashire closed on 55/2 after play was curtailed by bad light in the evening session, with a lead of 19 runs after losing Paul Horton and Andrea Agathangelou early on, both men falling to Peter Siddle (2-25).

Former Lancastrian, Steven Mullaney, made good of several missed chances by the Lancashire fielders and went on to make 82 before he was eventually trapped lbw by Smith.

A 61-run stand between Mullaney and England hopeful, James Taylor (29), guided the visitors towards a strong score of 133/2, but Smith inflicted serious damage, forcing Taylor to play-on and removing the in-form Samit Patel for just 19.

Riki Wessels continues to enjoy a fine season and he added 46 to the total to ensure that Nottinghamshire would earn a first-innings lead, but they lost their final five wickets for 26 runs as Chapple returned with determination for the hosts.

The Lancashire captain claimed three wickets in ten balls, claiming the important scalp of his Nottinghamshire counterpart, Chris Read, who was removed for 25 after he had seemed to be in good touch against the new ball.

The next batsman to fall victim to a relentless Chapple was Siddle, who was bowled for just six after swiping across the line of the ball and Luke Fletcher chipped the ball to Smith at mid-wicket, as Chapple claimed his fourth wicket of the innings.

Andre Adams has become renowned for a batting approach that can only be described as belligerent and the crowd were briefly treated to his attempts to find the boundary with nearly every ball he faced.

In his efforts to clear the ropes, Adams was caught superbly on the boundary by Agathangelou as Nottinghamshire were all out for a modest score of 261, having made such a promising start at Aigburth.

In reply, Usman Khawaja led Lancashire’s second innings with an unbeaten 29 after losing both openers to Australian fast-bowler, Siddle. Agathangelou fell for a duck, edging behind to Read off his second delivery and Horton (10) was out in identical fashion.