Horton Shines on First Day of Sussex Match.

Horton Shines on First Day of Sussex Match.

Lancashire enjoyed a somewhat peculiar days

play in Dubai today, as they started the first

day of the two day match against Sussex. Both

teams are required to bat the full 90 overs of

each day, regardless of how many wickets fall,

providing both sides with an opportunity to

get in some much needed training. After two

Twenty20 fixtures and a 40 over match,

Lancashire were keen to practice batting for the

longest form of the game, as the start of the

Championship campaign beckons.

Lancashire were set to bat first, after loosing the toss, with Paul Horton and Luke Procter in charge. The former did experience a poor start to this game, when he was caught at second slip off the bowling of Miller for just 4, but the nature of this game provided him with the potential to redeem himself. At the second time of asking he enjoyed an innings of 83 off 123 balls, which will have instilled him with the confidence he hoped to gain from his first attempt.

Stephen Moore had an almost identical day, failing to impress in the first innings and following-up with 46 with his second attempt, as he and Horton shared a partnership of 95 runs inside 14 overs, for the twelfth wicket.

The standard ten-wicket structure was undeniably disappointing, as Lancashire reached 168-10 at tea, with the only real success coming from Luke Procter who made 43 from 78 deliveries.

Lancashire finished on 301 for the loss of 12 wickets, which was largely due to the late onslaught from Horton and Moore, with the latter hitting three sixes before he was dismissed.

Although Sussex possess the strongest position at the end of the day, Lancashire’s batsmen were able to get some essential time at the crease and regardless of the result tomorrow, this is sure to be the aim of the bowlers as well.