Daryl Mitchell hit a century on his debut to get Lancashire back in contention on day three against Somerset in Manchester.
Mitchell’s brilliant shot helped a Lancashire side still missing injured James Anderson to close out their opening innings on 326.
It was just 35 behind the visitors, who had extended that lead to 149 runs for the loss of three wickets at the end.
Although Mitchell’s effort was the undoubted highlight, Craig Overton also produced a timely recall to the England selectors with 4-52, while Mitchell’s Kiwi compatriot Matt Henry took 4-73 in a sunny day in Manchester.
Lancashire got off to a bad start when night watchman Will Williams was absent for the first ball of the day, mistaken behind Overton for a duck.
72-3 became 82-4 when Steven Croft was strangled in the side of Overton’s leg, bringing Mitchell into the crease – and what followed was something of a masterclass by the neo-Test player zealander.
When Overton returned just before lunch to account for George Balderson caught late for 71, the score was 159-5 and, when Dane Vilas left shortly after the restart, the hosts were still 36 away from goal. tracking avoidance.
But Mitchell was joined by wicketkeeper George Bell who showed plenty of application in a 57 partnership for the sixth wicket, before Overton claimed him with the new ball on the second slip for 38. And Tom Hartley had then helped Mitchell cut Somerset’s lead in the race. until tea.
After the interval, they both came out batting as Mitchell took 14 off a Kasey Aldridge before becoming the ninth Lancashire player to score a ton in his first appearance for the county.
Hartley beat Henry to square-leg deep Abell after shooting an invaluable 47, before Mitchell eventually went for 105 to close the innings within touching distance of Somerset.
The dismissal of Steven Davies early in the second set, after playing against Williams, raised hopes in Lancashire, but Tom Abell (48) and Tom Lammonby battered reasonably for the majority of the final session.
Abell was knocked down around his legs while sweeping before Saqib Mahmood beat George Bartlett in the final.
Report provided by ECB Reporters Network
