Lancashire Vs. Worcestershire Day 2.

Rain Halts Worcestershire Progress on Second Day.

Rain was certainly the story of the day, all over the country, and after a unsatisfying first days play, Lancashire were subjected to further frustration, as they failed to take any wickets before heavy rain interrupted play for nearly three hours.

Finishing the first day on 227-6, Worcestershire were in a much more commanding position at the start of the days play, with captain Daryl Mitchell and Gareth Andrew both capable of causing Lancashire a problem.

The seventh wicket partnership continued to progress slowly and indeed annoy the home side as Worcestershire passed 250-6 and earned a second batting bonus point.

Rain fell in the morning session but in comparison to the afternoon delay, it was nothing more a drop, as play resumed with half an hour before lunch. But Lancashire’s luck had not changed as the visitors went in to lunch with the score at 301-6.

As the Lancashire players left the field, after a tough and unsuccessful morning session, light rain began to fell once more and continued to do so throughout the afternoon.

Eventually the players got back out, but both sides, especially Lancashire will have felt dejected by their progress in this match, which was made worse by the conditions that bring us all back to the rainy summer of 2012.

The second rain delay seemed to benefit the home side much more, as the first breakthrough of the day finally came for Chapple, with captain Mitchell edging behind to Cross for 74. He seemed disappointed with the decision, but in a partnership worth 96, the damage had certainly been done at 315-7.

Gareth Andrew (52) soon followed, but not before reaching a well-deserved 50 from 96 balls, containing 3 fours and a huge six he hit yesterday evening – but Procter claimed his third wicket of the match when Andrew played another big shot to Wayne White on the boundary.

The Worcestershire tail crumbled under the weight of Lancashire’s newfound confidence, as they fell from 315-6 to 334 all out. Further wickets for Procter (4-58) and Chapple (2-71) brought the innings to a close with a further 26 overs to play in the day, under the floodlights.

The turn around was delayed by an alarm that set-off in the player’s pavilion, but when Lancashire’s openers, Paul Horton and Luke Procter stepped out to the wicket, they were everything but unsettled by interruption.

Play was slow, but the pair managed an unbeaten stand of 42, as play ended at 6:50. Horton (16*) Procter (24*) have given Lancashire a platform for the third day and at the very least the home side will aim to muster so batting bonus points from tomorrow's proceedings.