County Championship: Josh Bohannon ton helps Lancashire all but match Bears

Josh Bohannon was out just four short of his career-best 174 against Derbyshire in 2019

Josh Bohannon hit a second Championship ton of the summer to help Lancashire almost match Warwickshire in their Division One meeting in Manchester.

Bohannon made 170, well backed by skipper Dane Vilas (67) and Luke Wells (45), as the hosts totalled 341.

The Bears then built on their 30-run first-innings lead to close on 52-1, of which first-innings centurion Chris Benjamin has so far made 28.

Bohannon's average is now 66.27 after taking his red-ball run tally to 720.

Warwickshire's star performer with the ball was paceman Liam Norwell, who took 6-57, including the first five wickets, backed by the accurate spin of England's Danny Briggs.

After Wells was bowled by Norwell to end his second-wicket partnership of 109 with Bohannon, Vilas then came in to add a further 129 for the third wicket.

But from 244-2, the Red Rose lost their last eight wickets for just 97, starting with Vilas, caught at second slip by Rob Yates off Norwell.

Liam Livingstone was the only other batsman to reach double figures, with 12, as no one could keep Bohannon company until he himself was ninth out.

England hopeful Saqib Mahmood then maintained his first-innings form when he clean bowled Yates before dropped England opener Dom Sibley, who made 17 off 54 balls, and Benjamin helped to get through a tricky period of 19 overs without any further loss.

Lancashire centurion Josh Bohannon:

"It is always enjoyable when you kick on and get a score but the most pleasing thing was how much hard work I've put into getting that sort of knock in the last few weeks.

"It was just disappointing not to carry on and get the team at least to Warwickshire's score if not past them. But this is as good as I've felt personally on and off the field - the mental stuff is what is getting me the success at the moment."

"The pitch is what we thought it would be on day one and it's hard work for the seamers but it's starting to spin which puts Matt Parkinson in a good position and brings Liam Livingstone into the game as well."

Warwickshire fast bowler Liam Norwell told BBC CWR:

"After a tough morning session we bounced back well after lunch and we managed to get a lead so it's not a bad day for us.

"They were a little bit more aggressive against the second new ball so it played into our favour and it did a little bit more than the first new ball.

"It's nice to get wickets but I did my job for the team and I'm just happy I could help the lads. After two or three years of quite bad injuries I have to be happy that I've been consistently on the park. It's just nice to get a string of games together. My body is getting used to the grind of county cricket now."