Day 2: Lancs seize momentum

By Peter Roebuck at Old Trafford

Second day of four: Lancs (214-2) trail Derbyshire (281) by 67 runs

BLISTERING batting in the ethereal aftermath of a muggy day revived Lancashire's hopes of securing the victory they need to sustain their championship challenge.

Striding to the crease after Michael Atherton had chopped on, Neil Fairbrother began the assault with a typically adventurous innings. Taking a liking to some tentative spin bowling, he drove, cut and biffed 48 in 31 balls before edging another forcing stroke. Thereafter John Crawley picked up the pace with an array of powerful strokes contributing to a convincing and commanding performance. Meanwhile Graham Lloyd assisted, reaching 50 in 53 balls with a variety of daring shots. Only Dominic Cork's mixture of pace and probing kept the batsmen in check.

Hitherto it had not been much of a day for the hosts. Wasting the opportunity presented by winning the toss upon an admirably fair pitch that resembled a field with sand pits at both ends, they dropped catches and bowled erratically. Wasim Akram's opening over, a mixture of wides, no balls and strays, cost 17 runs.

Derbyshire's unpretentious batsmen scored briskly, mostly through third man and square leg. Considering the early start, and putting his entire bat to use, Kim Barnett seemed capable of scoring 100 before coffee was served. But wickets also came along as the ball swung around. Only Matt Cassar lasted, his determined innings including one splendid hook.

Wasim returned with his yorkers and presently wickets were falling again. Derbyshire might have capitulated. Returning to old haunts, though, Phil DeFreitas led a wagging tail. Eventually the end came whereupon Lancashire set about making up for lost time.

Day 3: Powerful Lloyd sets up innings victory

By Peter Roebuck at Old Trafford

Third day of four: Lancashire (487) bt Derbyshire (281 & 198) by an innings & eight runs

AMBITION is the father of a thousand bold strategies. Having heard gloomy predictions of rain returning, Lancashire went in hot pursuit of the runs and wickets needed to win this match quickly.

Thanks to some belligerent batting by Graham Lloyd and incisive spells from Wasim Akram and Peter Martin, they took the last wicket in the last over of official time to move within three points of Surrey at the top of the table.

Lancashire owed much to Lloyd, whose forceful innings gave them the time they needed. He has not had much of a season, but is not the sort to show it. Now he gave a woeful attack a fearful drubbing once Dominic Cork's opening burst had been negotiated.

Lloyd was immediately into his stride, hitting powerfully from a short backlift and showing a wide range of strokes. He mauled the spinners, moving down the pitch to despatch straight sixes over a shortened boundary, laying back to cut or else sweeping and always finding empty spaces in the outfield. He took 28 off an over from Ian Blackwell and reached 200 in 216 balls.

Otherwise Lancashire's innings was a hotpot full of unusual ingredients. After John Crawley had been well caught behind as he glanced, Andrew Flintoff hooked Cork into Stretford and then pushed lamely to cover. Next Warren Hegg was held on the point boundary and then Wasim was caught by Roberts in the deep. Finally Ian Austin was dropped at slip and promptly run out by Cork's 85-yard throw. At last Glenn Chapple gave his pugnacious partner the support he needed, adding 140 and driving a sweet six over long off.

Derbyshire's reply began with a collection of no-balls and edges. Soon wickets began to fall as careless drives were caught at slip, gully and square leg as the visitors declined to 85 for four.

Robin Weston joined forces in a staunch partnership that threatened to inconvenience their opponents. Wasim was obliged to recall his pacemen. Martin duly broke the partnership and the Derbyshire innings ended in a rush of strokes that told of a patchwork team resigned to their fate.