Lancashire Build Strong Lead Against Somerset

Lancashire's batters made Somerset toil on day two of the Vitality County Championship match at Old Trafford, finishing with a commanding 292-run lead. The hosts ended the day on 298 for 7, thanks to Luke Wells' unbeaten 78 and Josh Bohannon's 60. Both teams are in dire need of a win—Lancashire to stave off relegation, and Somerset to keep pace with Surrey in the title race.

The contrast between the first and second days was clear, as Lancashire added 90 runs in the morning session, losing only two wickets in 27 overs on a pitch that had dried out and become less favourable for bowlers.

The first wicket of the day fell early when nightwatchman Will Williams was trapped lbw by Craig Overton for 7. Harry Singh then joined Bohannon for a valuable 85-run stand for the third wicket. Bohannon batted fluently, scoring 60 off 76 balls—his fourth fifty in 22 Championship innings this season—before he fell just before lunch, caught in the gully by Tom Abell after miscuing a pull shot off Kasey Aldridge.

After the interval, Singh and Rocky Flintoff resisted Somerset’s attack for 50 minutes until Brett Randell claimed his first wicket for Somerset, having Singh edge to James Rew after a gritty 30 from 142 balls. Matty Hurst followed soon after, hitting three boundaries in his brisk 19 before edging to Overton at second slip off Randell.

Flintoff was bowled for 27 by Jack Leach’s arm ball in the next over, but Wells and George Bell steadied the innings, guiding Lancashire to 214 for 6 at tea, with a lead of 208. After the break, the pair extended their seventh-wicket stand to 83 before Bell was bowled by Lewis Gregory for 23, attempting to pull a ball that was kept low.

Wells, batting lower in the order than usual due to Williams' nightwatchman role, found his form in the middle order. He passed fifty for only the fourth time this season, displaying impressive strokeplay, including three off-side boundaries in one over from Gregory.

The day ended with Lancashire in control. Wells remained unbeaten on 78, while George Balderson survived a close call on 5, with Somerset’s fielders visibly frustrated after an apparent run-out was not given. Somerset had earlier been docked five runs for fake fielding, further adding to their frustrations.

Scores:  

Lancashire 140 and 298 for 7 (Wells 78, Bohannon 60) lead Somerset 146 (Bailey 4-36, Balderson 4-50) by 292 runs.