Procter and Chapple defy Middlesex

Procter (4-50) was the pick of the bowlers on
a good day for Lancashire.

Lancashire kept their hopes of avoiding relegation alive with an inspired bowling display as they bowled Middlesex out for 214 after the visitors had won the toss and elected to bat first at Emirates Old Trafford.

Luke Procter (4-50) and Glen Chapple (4-55) both claimed four wickets as Middlesex failed to establish a substantial partnership, but the visitors managed to scrape their way to a crucial batting point, one which means Lancashire will now have to score 350 runs in their first innings.

A high score of 38 from Joe Denly recovered the innings as he and Eoin Morgan (25) contributed useful middle-order runs, but the loss of four wickets for 29 runs after lunch ruined any chances of a Middlesex revival.

The decision to bat first is one which surprised many given the overcast conditions and green pitch and when Sam Robson (7) edged behind to Jos Buttler off Chapple, the Lancashire captain was delighted to have lost the toss.

The introduction of Procter proved vital to Lancashire’s success as the all-rounder struck in his first over, forcing an edge off Dawid Malan (5) to Steven Croft with the score at 48/2.

After scoring an unbeaten double-hundred in the last match against Somerset, Chris Rogers was always going to be a crucial wicket and when he was dropped twice it seemed as though he was going to make Lancashire rue these missed opportunities.

But Procter continued to be prolific and managed to squeeze the ball between bat and pad as he bowled the Australian opener for 33 to restrict Middlesex to 63/3.

A partnership worth 42 runs between Denly and Morgan eased the pressure either side of lunch, but Denly soon edged to Croft off Chapple as the Lancashire veteran claimed his second wicket.

Having bowled very well in the morning session for no reward, Tom Bailey struck with his first ball after lunch to remove Morgan, who edged behind to Buttler for 25, as Middlesex lost their fifth wicket with the score at 126.

Procter returned after the interval and claimed the next two Middlesex wickets, removing Neil Dexter (17) and Toby Roland-Jones (0) as the visitors lost three wickets for eight runs before the umpires called an early tea due to bad light.

When the players attempted to return to the field, Procter managed to bowl just one ball before play was once again delayed by bad light and light drizzle. This was however only a brief delay and Lancashire made good progress in the evening session to ensure they would finish the day in command.

Chapple claimed his third wicket of the day when he trapped John Simpson lbw for a determined 23 and struck another blow ten runs later to dismiss Tim Murtagh (9) with the score at 180/9.

Lancashire knew that claiming the last wicket before Middlesex reached 200 would be vital in their fight for survival, but a 34-run partnership between James Harris (27*) and Ravi Patel (18) ensured that the hosts would have to bat well enough to score 350 in their first innings.

A frustrating period in an otherwise flawless day for Lancashire was brought to an end when Bailey (2-36) forced Patel to edge behind, supplying Buttler with his fourth catch of the innings.

The light continued to be an issue and just as the Lancashire openers were on their way out to the middle, the umpires decided that it was not safe to resume, a decision which stood for the remainder of the day.