A staggering 21 wickets fell on the opening day of the Vitality County Championship Division One clash between relegation-threatened Lancashire and title-chasing Somerset at Emirates Old Trafford.
Somerset opted to bowl first, making quick work of Lancashire’s batting lineup, dismissing them for 140 on a green-tinged pitch. Craig Overton and captain Lewis Gregory each took four wickets in a dominant display under sunny skies.
However, Lancashire responded fiercely with the ball, skittling Somerset for 146. Tom Bailey and George Balderson also claimed four wickets apiece, ensuring their side remained within touching distance.
Lancashire, starting their second innings 10 runs behind, lost captain Keaton Jennings for just four as they ended the day on 16-1.
Somerset, entering their penultimate match just eight points behind leaders Surrey, were determined to keep the pressure on in their bid for a first-ever County Championship title. The action began right from the first delivery when Kasey Aldridge missed a straightforward chance to catch Jennings off Overton's bowling. Overton’s persistence soon paid off, though, as he had debutant Harry Singh caught at slip for seven and dismissed Josh Bohannon for four. Somerset keeper James Rew recorded his 100th first-class dismissal in just his 31st match.
Teenager Rocky Flintoff struggled again at the crease, making only seven from 34 balls before dragging an Aldridge delivery onto his stumps. Jennings, meanwhile, reached his half-century in style, smashing nine boundaries and four fours in one over from Gregory, before he was bowled shortly before lunch, leaving Lancashire at 107-4.
Lancashire’s Post-Lunch Collapse
After the break, Lancashire’s innings crumbled, losing four wickets for just one run within 24 deliveries, with Gregory and Overton tearing through the lower order. Tom Bailey was the last to fall for 16 as Lancashire were bowled out in 40 overs.
Starting the day 11 points away from safety, Lancashire’s hopes now rested on their bowling performance. Tom Bailey gave them the perfect start by dismissing Somerset opener Andy Umeed with the first ball of the innings, caught at second slip after hesitating over whether to play.
Despite a solid 58-run stand between Archie Vaughan, son of former England captain Michael Vaughan, and Tom Lammonby, Somerset lost three wickets for seven runs. Vaughan was caught behind for 21, Lammonby edged to slip for 36, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore fell for three, leaving Somerset reeling at 65-4 by tea.
Final Session Drama for Somerset
James Rew, having just got off the mark with a boundary, nicked a Balderson delivery and was caught behind. Aldridge then lost his off-stump to another Balderson beauty, leaving Somerset struggling at 83-6. Gregory and Tom Abell added a valuable 34-run partnership, but Bailey returned to take three wickets in two overs, including the key scalp of Abell for 22 and Overton with a clever slower ball.
Jack Leach provided some late resistance, adding 25 runs with Gregory before edging behind for 13, giving Somerset a narrow six-run lead as they were bowled out for 146.
Lancashire faced 12 overs before stumps but lost Jennings to Gregory's second ball of his spell, closing the day on 16-1. Gregory could have claimed another wicket in the final over, but Will Williams’ slash between first and second slip went unclaimed, capping off a wild day of cricket that saw 302 runs and 21 wickets fall across 91.5 overs.
Match Summary:
- Lancashire 140 (Jennings 56; Overton 4-32, Gregory 4-50)
- Somerset 146 (Lammonby 36; Bailey 4-36, Balderson 4-50)
- Lancashire 16-1 (Gregory 1-5) lead by 10 runs with nine wickets in hand.