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A Josh Bohannon double century inspired Lancashire County Cricket Club to beat Gloucestershire County Cricket Club by an innings and 57 runs at Emirates Old Trafford.

Day 1

On what was a flat pitch, opposing captain Graeme Van Buuren won the toss and elected to bat first.

James Anderson and Saqib Mahmood were both named in the eleven for Lancashire, after being rested by the England and Wales Cricket Board for Lancashire’s first fixture last time out.

Anderson, with the new ball in hand, started off proceedings with a wide ball – for the first time in his First-Class Career.

Lancashire bowled out the visitors for 252 with overseas player Hassan Ali taking his first five wicket hall for the club.

Saqib Mahmood picked up two wickets, with George Balderson and Matt Parkinson getting one each. But it was Hassan who was the pick of the attack as he finished with bowling figures of 6/47 of 17 overs.

Lancashire started their innings right before the end of day one with Luke Wells and Balderson but the hosts lost Balderson as he was run out by Zafar Gohar ending day one.

Day 2

It was Josh Bohannon who joined Wells at the crease for the start of day two and both started quickly hitting boundaries.

Wells brought up his half century of 110 balls but fell shortly after lunch by Zafar as he trapped him leg before wicket (LBW). Josh Bohannon also made 50 but with Wells gone he remained at the crease with Steven Croft.

Bohannon brought up his first century of the season of 106 deliveries. Croft was bowled by Zafar as he looked to sweep the spinner, and this brought captain Dane Vilas to the crease.

Lancashire reached the close of the second day leading by 37 runs.

Speaking after the days play, Bohannon said: “It is always great fun and one of the things I have learnt to do since batting up the order is bat for a period of time.”

Day 3

Day three and Lancashire looked to build a big first innings lead with Vilas and Bohannon finding quick runs as Vilas quicky made a run a ball fifty.

Bohannon passed his previous score of 174 and reached his next milestone of a double century and all previous centuries have been at Emirates Old Trafford.

Vilas scored his second century of the season, but he was caught shortly after by Hammond. Bohannon’s efforts came to end on 231 when he was caught.

A late flurry of runs meant the home side lead by 304 runs at tea and declared. After the short tea break returned Harris and Dent returned but the openers were soon gone with Anderson getting his first wicket of the summer and Mahmood removing the pair. The last wicket of the day was for Hassan as he broke middle stump in half to remove James Bracey.

Day 4

In the previous three days, a wicket did not fall in the morning session and to give the home side a chance of winning they needed to take wickets. It was Parkinson who got the break through as Gloucestershire captain Van Buuren edged to Wells in the slip cordon and then next ball Higgins missed a ball that turned and it his stump.

At lunch Gloucestershire trailed by 188 runs and had five wickets left.

The afternoon session had many of the Lancashire fans glued to the seats hoping to get the five remaining wickets, but Hammond had other ideas as he reached a half century. An attacking fielding change from Anderson to try and get a wicket worked as Hammond was trapped LBW on 50.

Parkinson got his third wicket and the hosts seventh as Zafar was bowled for three. Josh Shaw was the new batter, and the pair dominated the crease as Lancashire were unable to get them out. Hassan delivered again for the home side as he removed Shaw for 29.

Two wickets were all the hosts required in the final session of the game as Mahmood removed Lace on 71. With 24 balls left of the game the final wicket fell as Warner was caught behind for ten with Salt taking the catch as wicket taker Hassan finished the game with nine wickets.

Head coach Glen Chapple was pleased with the efforts of the team throughout the game, he said: “I am pleased we dominated the game and played really good cricket all the way through.”

Featured image credit: George G Franks Photography

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