CRICKET’S courtesies are rather misleading.
When a captain wins the toss on a seamer’s wicket, the idea that he “invites” the opposition to bat is about as accurate as the notion that a judge invites a murderer to spend 30 years inside.
Likewise, Stuart Law’s smile when he shook hands with Justin Langer and offered Somerset’s batsmen first use of a greenish strip at Taunton yesterday morning was probably underpinned by the uncompromising belief that he had given his bowlers the chance to establish a crucial advantage.
This is a match from which Lancashire need seven points if they are not to rely on the failings of others to secure their survival in English cricket’s top flight. Establishing a winning position by the first evening would have represented admirable progress towards that objective.
And for much of yesterday’s play, Law’s confidence in his attack was justified. When Alfonso Thomas was lbw to Glen Chapple in the 39th over, the home side had been reduced to 110 for seven and Lancashire’s quicker bowlers were dominating the game.
Things looked a little different by close of play. For one thing, Somerset’s later batsmen, led by the admirable Peter Trego who made 81 off 151 balls, added 92 runs for the last three wickets to post what is a seriously competitive 202 all out, and Lancashire may yet rue bitterly the sharp slip catch grassed by Paul Horton when the all-rounder had made only 27.
For another, Andrew Caddick’s bounce and movement from the Old Pavilion end proved far too good for both Horton and Karl Brown, and Charl Willoughby’s dismissal of Law, caught at second slip by Marcus Trescothick, left Lancashire tottering on 26 for three.
Mark Chilton and Mal Loye, two batsmen who were playing second team cricket just over a month ago, had taken the score to 45 before Willoughby cut through Chilton’s loose drive three overs prior to the close. Loye, though, will resume on 26 not out this morning and it would be a flint-hearted cricket follower who would not raise a cheer if he adds even another 24 runs to that tally.
Until Trego and the tail took a hand, Lancashire’s bowlers had made the most of both their good fortune and their ability. Langer and Trescothick had racked up 2,308 Championship runs before yesterday, so to dismiss them both for a mere eight inside the first five overs was a notable triumph.
Trescothick aimed to play Newby through mid-wicket but only edged the ball to second slip where Law took a good catch, and Langer’s 600th first class innings was ended when his firm defensive push was beaten by Chapple’s movement.
Despite Zander de Bruyn’s 66-ball 39, the session only got better for the visitors as James Hildreth failed to take his bat away from a Newby lifter and the pugnacious de Bruyn edged a drive off Tom Smith to Paul Horton at first slip.
The accurate Liverpool-born seamer accepted what will be the easiest caught and bowled of his career two overs later when his delivery stopped on Ian Blackwell, and Somerset’s lunchtime total of 94 for five represented an excellent return for Law’s men.
Even after Somerset had mounted their recovery, it remained a good day for Oliver Newby who took four for 72 from his 18 overs. Smith backed him up with two for 45, while Chapple’s three for 33 is simply what Old Trafford fans have come to expect from this trusty yeoman.
As for this morning, Lancashire must try to bat and bat and bat. A total of 350 inside 130 overs would mean survival but that is a distant prospect indeed. If Law’s men do not reach it, they must win this game or spend the next few days anxiously checking on the scores at Canterbury and Hove.
