Lancashire Vs. Worcestershire Day 3.

Strong Batting Display Gives Lancashire Edge.

Although the result in this fixture seems to have been written for sometime, Lancashire gave a strong account of themselves in their first batting display of the season, accumulating a total of 250-3. The rain caused further delays to occur, but at the end of the third day the home side have a strong platform to achieve more bonus points, in what looks to be a certain draw.

Unlike most fixtures this morning, Lancashire managed to achieve the scheduled start time of 11:00 and the with Paul Horton (16*) and Luke Procter (24*) seeming to be very confident at 42-0, the day promised to provide much more entertainment for the Lancashire faithful than the previous two days.

The score passed 50 quickly and the comfortable air of Lancashire’s opening pair was restored, after the great start they had made in the evening session on day two.

Procter (54) continued to score quicker than his partner and he was able to reach his half-century in the best possible manner, striking Russell for six, taking him to 53 from 116 balls. Unfortunately though, he was caught at mid-on by Andrew off Russell, as Lancashire lost their first wicket at 97.

By lunchtime, Lancashire had reached 112-1, giving them a strong platform for the afternoon session. The home side capitalised on their position and joined by Karl Brow, Horton continued on his already impressive role in this match.

The pair brought up the 50 partnership, with the score now at 147-1 and Lancashire looked increasingly settled to make a commanding total.

Horton joined his opening partner, reaching 50 from 179 balls, hitting 7 fours in a slow, but important innings, as Lancashire went in search of their first batting point.

Their authority continued to grow, until a rather disappointing mix-up saw Horton run out for 66, as he decided at too late a stage to turn around and failed to make his ground.

Ashwell Prince joined Brown at the crease, but with the score at 172-2, the players were frustrated by yet more rain, forcing an early tea interval to be signalled by the umpires. Every time an inspection was scheduled, further rain fell and it seemed as though play might not resume.

Fortunately though play restarted at 5:20, with plenty of time remaining for both sides to claim their first bonus points of the innings. With Lancashire needing 28 more runs for the first batting point, it seemed as though they would acquire the first point of the innings - but when Brown edged to Mooen Ali off Alan Richardson for 34, Worcestershire reduced Lancashire to 178-3 and went to 4 points, to Lancashire’s 2.

For the first time this season Simon Katich and Ashwell Prince were batting with one another and the very presence of 122 test caps brought a different feel to Old Trafford. The pair enjoyed early success and a four from Katich took Lancashire past 200 as they earned their first batting bonus point of the season. The partnership continued to show how vital their expertise may be this season, as they passed 50 for the fourth wicket in just 64 balls.

The day closed at 250-3, with Prince (34*) and Katich (25*) in full flow and looking very dangerous indeed. Worcestershire’s lead of 84 runs now looks minimal as both of the overseas stars will surely aim to go pass their score and in search of the maximum amount of batting bonus points.