County Championship: Lancashire survival hopes fading at Hampshire
- Published
Keaton Jennings played six of England's seven Tests this summer but failed to score a half-century in his 10 innings
Specsavers County Championship Division One, Ageas Bowl (day one): |
Hampshire 187: Northeast 42; Bailey 4-57, Gleeson 3-34 |
Lancashire 123-4: Jennings 48; Holland 2-21 |
Lancashire (3 pts) trail Hampshire (1 pt) by 64 runs |
Lancashire ended day one on 123-4 in reply to Hampshire's 187, but Division One survival is an unlikely prospect.
They began needing at least 20 points to stand any chance of staying up.
Tom Bailey (4-57) and Richard Gleeson (3-34) helped the visitors to their maximum three bowling bonus points.
But late wickets dented Lancashire's reply and they closed 64 behind at the Ageas Bowl, with England Test opener Keaton Jennings out for 48 in his first Championship appearance since July.
They looked well placed on 111-2 with Jennings and captain Liam Livingstone (46 not out) at the crease, but Jennings and nightwatchman Stephen Parry both fell to Ian Holland (2-21).
Nottinghamshire gained two bonus points on the first day of their match with Somerset at Trent Bridge, meaning Lancashire will be relegated if they do not pass 300 in the first 110 overs of their first innings.
Even if they do so and gain a maximum 24 points against Hampshire, Notts will stay up if they collect a total of five points from their final match.
Lancashire's bowlers gave them the perfect start at the Ageas Bowl, with Jimmy Adams - playing his final match for Hampshire before retiring - caught at slip for a 10-ball duck as the hosts slipped to 112-7 batting first.
Sam Northeast top-scored for Hampshire with 42 but was one of four victims for Bailey, who is Division One's leading wicket-taker with 60 at an average of 20.25.
Hampshire batsman Sam Northeast:
"Batting hasn't been easy for the last month. Playing in September is probably something to do with that.
"There is no doubt that there was something there for the bowlers this morning and we had to get through that little period.
"It was disappointing to get out when I did as I was building nicely with Bergy there and then the pitch got flatter.
"When it mattered a few games ago when it looked like a potential relegation it was nice to get stuck in and make a contribution."
Lancashire batsman Dane Villas:
"The day went according to plan. We bowled them out before tea and then got in and got some nice runs on the board.
"It was tough losing Keats with a few overs to go and then Parry the night watchman but we are pretty happy with the way it went.
"We just want to win the game. We would be gutted it Notts fell short and we didn't do the business.
"It has been a season of missed opportunities and that would be another missed opportunity. But there is a tiny percentage that we can still stay up, and anything can happen in cricket."