County hang on as Lancs build a lead (From Worcester News)

County hang on as Lancs build a lead

7:08pm Thursday 18th August 2011 in Match Reports

AN unbroken 90-run partnership between Karl Brown and Steven Croft blunted Worcestershire’s fightback and left Lancashire with a substantial advantage at the end of a sternly-contested second day of the LV= County Championship match at Blackpool.

Building on a useful first innings lead of 80, Lancashire reached the close on 167-3, a lead of 247. Brown was unbeaten on 55 and first innings centurion Croft was on 39 not out.

The pair helped Lancashire recover after two Gareth Andrew strikes had reduced the home side to 77-3 early in the evening session.

Andrew had Paul Horton caught at slip for 35 and trapped Tom Smith lbw for just four to jeopardise Lancashire’s hopes of setting a big target in the fourth innings.

However, Croft and Brown both batted with polished ease in poor light, Brown reaching his half-century off 71 balls having hit seven fours.

In Worcestershire’s first innings Andrew made 61 and wicketkeeper Ben Scott a resilient 117-ball 65 not out as Daryl Mitchell’s side built on an overnight 77-5 to post a respectable 202.