Specsavers County Championship Division Two, Emirates Old Trafford (day one)
Worcestershire 172: Parnell 63; Anderson 5-25, Onions 3-52
Lancashire 88-5: Parnell 3-19
Lancashire (2 pts) trail Worcestershire (1 pt) by 84 runs
Lancashire and England swing bowler James Anderson put the Red Rose in charge for a period on the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship match against Worcestershire at Emirates Old Trafford.
On a day which ended up finishing more or less even, the 36-year-old claimed figures of five for 25 in Worcestershire’s first innings – his best Championship figures since September 2015. It was also his 46th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket and his 18th for Lancashire.
He bowled extremely well alongside former England international Graham Onions (3-52), creating pressure as they reduced the Pears to 38-7.
Worcestershire seemed destined to record their lowest total in first-class cricket since the turn of the century – which was 60 against Warwickshire at New Road in 2012.
But there was resistance from the Worcestershire tail as the final three wickets put on 134 before Wayne Parnell was bowled by Tom Bailey for an excellent 63 given the situation of the match.
That wicket brought about tea and after the break, Lancashire went about their first innings and they lost Keaton Jennings (3) cheaply as Joe Leach had him snaffled at fourth slip by Tom Fell.
Five overs later, Jake Lehmann who replaced fellow countryman Joe Burns for this game departed for eight after hitting a single boundary. This time Wayne Parnell picked up the wicket as Lehmann edged to Riki Wessels at first slip.
Rob Jones and Haseeb Hameed looked to steady the ship and the latter fell for 29 LBW to Charlie Morris to leave Lancashire on 57-3.
The pair put on 25 as they edged towards the close of play, but with 16 balls remaining in the day Jones mistimed a cut and was caught at second slip by Daryl Mitchell off the bowling of Parnell.
The 15th wicket of the day fell with three balls remaining in the day as Parnell bagged his third wicket of the innings, trapping Anderson LBW for four.
Lancashire will resume in the morning on 88-5 with a deficit of 84 runs.
WHAT THEY SAID
James Anderson reflected on his fine bowling performance today and said that it’s still great to be picking up five-wicket hauls for his county.
“It’s my job to get wickets and to take five wickets is always special.
“I don’t feel like I’ve done an awful lot for Lancashire in recent times as I haven’t played that much but it was nice to contribute and if we’re going to be successful everyone will have to chip in at some stage.” he added.
Photo credit: Lancashire Cricket
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