Hampshire 4 days Rose Bowl 12/4/2024

[MickeyG]

Yup, hope Bell can get his century here.

[MickeyG]

Disaster for Bell, run out on 99!

[Rob]

Shame for Bell but well played all thr same.

[Admin]

Hampshire: 367 & 39-2: Williams 2-12
Lancashire: 484: Jennings 172, Bell 99; Dawson 4-156
Hampshire (4 pts) trail Lancashire (5 pts) by 78 runs

Keaton Jennings quickly disproved a Utilita Bowl jinx with a fine century to ease Lancashire into a large first-innings lead over Hampshire.
Five batters – Nick Gubbins, James Vince, Tom Prest, Liam Dawson and Luke Wells – had scored fifties without converting to three figures in the first fixture at the newly renamed ground.

But Jennings turned his overnight 85 into 172 with barely a moment out of shape, 21-year-old George Bell brilliantly accompanied him – but he was left cursing himself after running himself out for 99, with a maiden first-class century at his fingertips.

Lancashire were eventually bowled out for 484 – with Liam Dawson picking up four for 156 – boasting a 117-run lead. Hampshire lost two wickets to Will Williams before the close as they reached 39 for two.



Neither the pitch nor the Kookaburra ball have assisted the bowlers in any way shape or form, but batters have been able to make hay at the Utilita Bowl.

The only time Jennings had not looked at ease during his seven-and-a-half-hour vigil had been on day two when he was dropped at point, when on 36, by Nick Gubbins.

Otherwise, it was a 360-degree showcase of his skills, with the lack of movement from the fast bowlers not troubling him, and his renowned brilliance against spin made threats low.

Jennings reached his 28th first-class century in 234 balls with an effortless cover drive as he and Bell eased through the morning session.



In fact, Hampshire’s solitary moment of joy came when they thought James Fuller had produced an edge out of Jennings, but their celebrations were cut short by the lack of the umpire’s finger.

Jennings moved through 150 – something six of his last seven red ball centuries have done – with Lancashire reaching 350 before the bonus points ended. That point will mean Lancashire will take one extra point if this ends in a draw.

The 40th over of the day finally ended the 166-run stand between Jennings and Bell, as Dawson pinned Jennings while he played a reverse sweep.



Bell was largely risk-averse throughout his innings but showed he was capable of driving attractively and adeptly finding gaps.

He wouldn’t be rushed with his 50 coming in 132 balls, with a century seeming inevitable – despite seeing Dawson have Matthew Hurst caught at first slip and Tom Bailey leg before, having previously stood his ground after James Vince wrongfully claimed a catch.



The only time he looked skittish was in the 90s and taking off for a single – when one was needed for a fine first ton. A run was never really in the offering, something Jack Blatherwick recognised and sent him back but too late for Ian Holland to directly hit from point.

Dawson’s tireless twirling away for 49 overs concluded by bowling Will Williams, before Fuller claimed his second of the innings when Blatherwick edged behind.

In 21 twilight overs under the lights, all of the visiting bowlers beat the bat countless times, but were rewarded with a pair of wickets.



Williams tickled a defending Fletcha Middleton’s outside edge and a swishing Ali Orr to give Lancashire hope of forcing a final day victory.

[lancsdes]

Apr 14, 2024 12:32:43 GMT John W said:

Apr 14, 2024 11:26:53 GMT MickeyG said:

‘Great knock this off Jenno and ably supported by Bell. Embarrassment for Bruce?’

Bruce was out to a brilliant catch by Dawson, the type of catch you see taken probably 3 out of 10 times. Probably worse was Wells, Bohannon and Balderson who all got in then got out, once you're in it should be a good ball that gets you out and that wasn't the case with all 3 wickets.”


Often like MickeyG’s posts but in this case I’m with John W. Anyone can get a duck in any match. I’m not a fan of signings like Bruce ; from outside the County I only like world class signings like Lyon but he needs to be given a chance. 

[alanw]

Apr 14, 2024 13:29:33 GMT Rob said:

Bell playing a good knock on his first appearance of the season. In this nick should be batting ahead of Bruce and Balderson. Looks well organised at the crease.

I think the current batting order is correct. I thought Balderson was batting too low last season when he was at six after scoring two centuries. I see George Balderson's long term future as a specialist batsmen and part time bowler. Tom Bruce bats at five for Central Districts and seems to have been brought in to add experience to the middle order. It's early days and the players deserve a run in the team. Also I think Hurst needs to score runs at seven to justify his position otherwise we could give the gloves back to Bell and bring in Hartley/ Singh/ Lavelle at seven. Again it is early days and he should be given a run of games to establish himself.

[chris]

Apr 15, 2024 7:45:43 GMT alanw said:

Apr 14, 2024 13:29:33 GMT Rob said:

Bell playing a good knock on his first appearance of the season. In this nick should be batting ahead of Bruce and Balderson. Looks well organised at the crease.

I think the current batting order is correct. I thought Balderson was batting too low last season when he was at six after scoring two centuries. I see George Balderson's long term future as a specialist batsmen and part time bowler. Tom Bruce bats at five for Central Districts and seems to have been brought in to add experience to the middle order. It's early days and the players deserve a run in the team. Also I think Hurst needs to score runs at seven to justify his position otherwise we could give the gloves back to Bell and bring in Hartley/ Singh/ Lavelle at seven. Again it is early days and he should be given a run of games to establish himself.

I agree Alan, and I would add from memory that both Bohannon and Livingstone were both given the luxury of starting thier first class careers batting at 7.  Although they always used Balderson and Jones anywhere and everywhere as needed.  Can't see them bringing in Lavelle, although he's top scorer at the seconds at the moment.  Lancs have clearly made their choice.  Salt, Hurst and Bell ahead of Lavelle and Carney.  Neither do I see the point of playing Lyon, Hartley and Wells, but they may well do.

[Phil]

Inspection at 11.30 after heavy overnight rain

[Phil]

Lunch at 12.30, plan to start at 1.10 after another inspection

[man in the stand]

Another draw I think

[redroselionsexile]

Apr 15, 2024 11:18:00 GMT man in the stand said:

Another draw I think

Yeah on this pitch with Hampshire playing for a draw taking the last eight wickets today would have been a challenge in three sessions, but in two I think it will extremely unlikely.

Just hope that Somerset can keep Surrey out whilst the weather allows play so that their game ends in a draw also.

[MickeyG]

Apr 14, 2024 23:33:42 GMT lancsdes said:

Apr 14, 2024 12:32:43 GMT John W said:

Bruce was out to a brilliant catch by Dawson, the type of catch you see taken probably 3 out of 10 times. Probably worse was Wells, Bohannon and Balderson who all got in then got out, once you're in it should be a good ball that gets you out and that wasn't the case with all 3 wickets.”


Often like MickeyG’s posts but in this case I’m with John W. Anyone can get a duck in any match. I’m not a fan of signings like Bruce ; from outside the County I only like world class signings like Lyon but he needs to be given a chance. 


Hey, its all about opinions it would suck if we all thought the same all the time. And I was asking a question about Bruce, I think he'd be disappointed with getting out 1st ball having seen how the other batters contributed. He also got out caught behind last week, although only Bohannon and Wells came out with any credit there.

As for this game looking like a definite draw now, although that was most likely anyways with how long it took both teams to get their scores. I kinda feel like CC games should be 5 days like tests, but I suppose keeping them to 4 forces teams to try and score quicker which is what "bazball" is all about.

[MickeyG]

Missed that we've started, Abbott out already.

[Admin]

Vince gone 40 overs left scores level

[Admin]

Rain stops play and I think that puts an end to it