Match report day 2: Lancs v Worcs in Championship 2004 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Lancashire v Worcestershire

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Summary for Day 2

James Anderson ripped the heart out of Worcestershire's batting on the second morning of this match to put Lancashire in control. By the close of play, Lancashire's batsmen had built on Anderson's platform to leave Lancashire favourites to win.

 

Anderson 6 for 49 from 17 overs

 

Worcestershire's tail of woe started with the second ball of the day. Kadeer Ali edged Anderson's leg side delivery to keeper Hegg (77-5) - a truly breathtaking one handed catch. Four overs later, night watchman Malik was beaten for pace and lost his middle stump (88-6). Gareth Batty played back to another Anderson delivery in the 42nd over and was adjudged leg before wicket (94-7). Anyone who missed Graeme Hick's or Nadeem Malik's dismissals were treated to a replay when Anderson knocked over Andy Bichel's off stump in the 46th over. Worcestershire had collapsed from 72 for 2 to 102 for 8 (30-6), and Lancashire were set for a very useful first innings lead.

 

After eight spectacular overs from James Anderson, Gary Keedy entered the attack from the Brian Statham end. Andrew Hall attempted to launch a big hit in the 54th over. Unfortunately for the Worcestershire all rounder, he failed to gain any distance with his stroke. The ball travelled sufficiently high into the air to allow Stuart Law to move swiftly from square leg to take the catch (125-9). The last wicket partnership frustrated Lancashire for six overs, before Matt Mason left his crease to attack another delivery from Keedy. Needless to say, Hegg whipped off the bails to leave the visitors all out for just 146.

 

Lancashire's openers, Mark Chilton and Iain Sutcliffe negotiated seven tricky overs before lunch (30-0) to increase the overall lead to 71. However, disaster struck with the last ball of the first over after the resumption. Chilton adjudged leg before wicket for 12 (31-1). Six deliveries later, Law chipped tamely to Kadeer Ali standing at square leg without troubling the scorers. The second time in the match Ali and Mason combined to remove Lancashire overseas star player (32-2).

 

If ever Lancashire needed Carl Hooper to excel at the crease it was now. In truth, Hooper's form has been very hit and miss this season. However, Hooper did not disappoint. He scored a fantastic century from 183 balls, and combined with Sutcliffe to add 168 for the third wicket. Sutcliffe was fortunate to survive on 63 when keeper Rhodes failed to hold a simple catch. Hooper was less fortunate four overs from the end of the day, when Rhodes made amends for his error (200-3). Gary Keedy joined Sutcliffe at the crease and the pair steered Lancashire through to close of play without any further scares.

 

At the close, Lancashire led by 241 runs. With two full days play left, the hosts must be confident of posting a sizable total on the board and bowling Worcestershire out to convert their second win of the season.

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Kadeer Ali caught Hegg bowled Anderson 0 (2nd ball of day - leg side catch) - 77 for 5 in the 36th over - Malik 0*
• Malik bowled Anderson 2 (Middle stump) - 88 for 6 in the 40th over - Hall 9*
• Batty lbw bowled Anderson 0 - 94 for 7 in the 42nd over - Hall 15*
• 100 for 7 in the 45th over - Hall 20* Bichel 1*
• Bichel bowled Anderson 3 - 102 for 8 in the 46th over - Hall 20*
• Hall caught Law bowled Keedy 34 (Running from square leg to mid-wicket) - 125 for 9 in the 54th over - Rhodes 8*
• Mason stumped Hegg bowled Keedy 10 - 146 all out in the 60th over - Rhodes 19* -
• Lancashire lead by 41 runs - 12.40pm

• Lunch - 30 for 0 from 7 overs - Chilton 12* Sutcliffe 17* - Lead by 71
• Chilton lbw bowled Batty 12 - 31 for 1 in the 8th over - Sutcliffe 18* - Lead by 72
• Law caught Ali bowled Mason 0 (Chipped to square leg) - 32 for 2 in the 9th over - Sutcliffe 18*
• 51 for 2 in the 16th over - Sutcliffe 26* Hooper 11* - Lead by 92
• 59 for 2 in the 20th over - Sutcliffe 26* Hooper 21* - Lead by 100
• 50 partnership - 84 for 2 in the 30th over - Sutcliffe 34* Hooper 36*
• 100 for 2 in the 32nd over - Sutcliffe 40* Hooper 45*
• 50 Sutcliffe from 101 balls (8 x 4) - 115 for 2 in the 35th over - Hooper 48*
• 50 Hooper from 84 balls (7 x 4) - 117 for 2 in the 36th over - Sutcliffe 52*
• 100 partnership - 134 for 2 in the 47th over - Sutcliffe 58* Hooper 59*
• 150 for 2 in the 52nd over - Sutcliffe 61* Hooper 72* - Lead by 191
• Sutcliffe 63 dropped by Rhodes - 152 for 2 in the 52nd over - Hooper 72*
• 160 for 2 in the 57th over - Sutcliffe 69* Hooper 74* - Lead by 201
• 150 partnership - 182 for 2 in the 64th over - Sutcliffe 76* Hooper 87*
• 100 Hooper from 183 balls (12 x 4) - 198 for 2 in the 72nd over - Sutcliffe 79*
• 200 for 2 in the 72nd over - Sutcliffe 81* Hooper 100* - Lead by 241
• Hooper caught Rhodes bowled Bichel 100 - 200 for 3 in the 73rd over - Sutcliffe 81*
• Close of play - 200 for 3 from 77 overs - Sutcliffe 81* Keedy 0* - Lead by 241
• Lancashire 3 points, Worcestershire 3 points

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Neil Adams http://www.cricketimages.co.uk/adams-report/intro.html)