Further rain inhibits Red Rose promotion.
Oliver Newby celebrates his second-wicket before rain hit Old Trafford.
Just
12 overs were bowled after lunch before the rain, which proved to be terminal,
fell in Manchester, delaying Lancashire’s hopes of securing promotion.
After reaching 453-7 the Division Two
leader’s finally declared, a decision they may live to regret, after the
majority of the day was lost to yet more rain.
Leicestershire’s response however suggested
that Lancashire had exercised all plans accordingly, reducing the visitors to
17-3 by lunch.
Resuming the third day unbeaten on 150, skipper
Paul Horton was only able to add six runs to his overnight score before he was
bowled by Nathan Buck, reaching his highest ever score for Lancashire at Old
Trafford.
Lancashire managed to claim all five
batting bonus points, aiding their push for promotion in this fixture, as the
hosts opted against an immediate declaration, but Tom Smith (23) soon became
the third person to be caught by his namesake, Greg, with the hosts now 401-6.
Luke Procter led the Lancashire flurry, as
he struck eight boundaries on his way to 44, forsaking his own half-century in
an attempt to smash Ned Eckersley (2-29) for six, which resulted in a
rudimentary stumping for Niall O’Brien.
Playing in his first Championship match of
the season, fast bowler, Oliver Newby, began his spell with two wicket-maidens,
removing both of Leicestershire’s opening batsmen, silencing those who believed
Zimbabwean international, Kyle Jarvis, should have played instead.
Kyle Hogg then removed danger man Eckersley
for 4, allowing Alex Davies to take his first catch for the first team this
season, after the keeper-batsman had, earlier, hit an aggressive 30 not out,
including a thumping six down the ground.
Michael Thornley and O’Brien both closed
unbeaten with 23, on yet another dreary day at Old Trafford, with
Leicestershire recovering to 60-3 and a draw looking to be the favoured result.
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