Lancashire in control at Old Trafford

Jun 9 2008 by Peter Guy, Liverpool Daily Post

DOMINIC CORK and Paul Horton teamed up to put Lancashire in control at sun-drenched Old Trafford despite a gritty performance by Nottinghamshire’s Adam Voges.

Cork took three for 60, dismissing Chris Read and Graeme Swann for ducks in consecutive overs shortly after forcing Voges to retire hurt with a bruised wrist, as Notts slumped from 172 for two to 234 for seven in reply to Lancashire’s 384.

Voges returned from hospital, where he had been waiting for x-rays, to resume his innings, and struggled on to a 97-ball half-century.

But Notts still conceded a first-innings lead of 80 and Lancashire extended that to 226 by the close of the third day, reaching 146 for four thanks to Horton’s second half-century of the match.

Matthew Wood took a good catch to dismiss Iain Sutcliffe, who top-edged a pull at Mark Ealham, and Ealham then reacted quickly at slip to catch Mal Loye’s reverse sweep at Swann.

Lou Vincent also went sweeping at Samit Patel, but Horton followed up his 64 in the first innings with another half-century from 81 balls, the sixth time the opener has passed 50 in nine Championship innings this season, until he played on to Paul Franks just before the close.

Voges did not field but Notts expect him to be fit to bat again tomorrow.

Earlier Voges and Mark Wagh had extended their third-wicket stand to 112 before Cork found some extra lift to surprise the Australian, who was hit on the left wrist. He batted on for two overs before retiring, and Lancashire missed a chance to send back Wagh in Cork’s next over when Oliver Newby failed to hang on to a top-edged pull at long leg.

That miss did not prove too expensive as Wagh fell six short of a 24th first-class century, bowled by Steven Croft as he tried to whip a straight ball to mid wicket.

Cork then had Read caught at slip by Horton and won an lbw appeal against Swann, and although Patel launched Gary Keedy for six in a quick 39, a couple more quick wickets meant that Notts had lost five for 23.

Voges’ return, plus an unbeaten 40 from Franks and a bad drop by Sajid Mahmood, helped them recover to secure a third batting point, before Cork returned with the second new ball to uproot Charlie Shreck’s middle stump – a popular dismissal with the Lancashire supporters after the tall paceman’s antics on Saturday, when he had been warned by the umpires after colliding with Lancashire captain Luke Sutton.