Kristian Collinge hits 168 runs as Lancashire secure comfortable win by 183 runs
Lancashire 375/5 (40 Overs)
K. Collinge 168
A. Finneran 55
J. Harris 48
Shropshire 192/4 (40 Overs)
C. Rigby 99*
J. Fisher 2/21
J. Harris 1/5
Ashton on Mersey CC were the hosts on sun drenched Sunday afternoon as Lancashire entertained Shropshire for the first time for several seasons.
Shropshire won the toss and opted to field first
The outfield was quick and the shots flowed, as Lancashire got on the front foot from the off, hitting 50 runs within 8 overs, thanks to the opening pair of Finneran 19 and Collinge 25. The pair rotated strike and put pressure on the fielders at every opportunity never risking their wicket, whilst piercing the field at every opportunity.
Kristian reached his half century in the 16th over off 49 balls, whilst also taking the partnership to 100.
Now in the mood, he and Adam accelerated along reaching the 150 partnership within 5 further overs, Collinge getting his 2nd Lancashire Century off 75 balls including 19 x 4s, with Finneran then reaching his 50 the next over in his supporting role including 5 x 4s.
Shropshire continued to work hard in the field and finally got their reward as Danny Percy picked up the wicket of the Lancashire Captain, bowling him with the pair having put on 220 for the 1st Wicket.
Kristian was still in the mood to continue to score runs at every available chance and off his 92nd delivery, he reached 150* (26x4s, 3x6s).
Cricket has the cruel habit of bringing you back down to earth with a bump, Having scored 100 the previous Day Tom Meskell went out brimming with confidence only to be trapped by the late swing from Harrison for 1.
Joel Harris returning to his junior club took his time and supported Kristian as the red rose pushed on past 250. Kristian finally departed for his career best score 168 when he tried to scope the ball behind the keeper. A standing ovation from the gathering crowds, fitting of the innings he had produced and the platform on which Lancashire could build.
A 39 run partnership between England Internationals Harris and Dixon saw the host pass the 300 run mark, before Harris was trapped in front for a solid 48 as Lancashire were now 327-5.
Spurred on by his batting exploits for the development side the previous week, Aaron O’Neill joined our sir Jimmy in the middle and the pair would add a further 48 runs to the total as Lancashire closed on 375.
Now a rarity but the players all sat down to a fantastic spread and cricket tea before heading into the field to defend their target.
With Senior Players, Dixon, Meskell and Harris all starting to feel the affects of long Saturday afternoons in the heat, Lancashire took the opportunity to allow the younger players to take the lead working around the spin of Waqass.
Having grasped his opportunity to play regular cricket, Aaron once again produced a controlled opening spell of swing bowling, unfortunate not to pick up a wicket but completed his 5 overs having conceded just 9 runs, Waqass once again at the other end just couldn’t find that extra bit of magic to claim a wicket.
Jack Fisher entered the bowling attack and struck in his first over as Jimmy took a low catch at cover to see Wallace depart for 10.
The Lancashire bowlers were helped massively by the commitment in the field by the youngsters Tyler Preece and Jack Hughes, who raced and dived after everything that came their ways.
Meskell was able to strike revenge by picking up the wicket of Percy as Shropshire were 48/2.
Callum Rigby joined his Captain in the middle and the pair look to try to put pressure on the Lancashire bowlers and fielders by frustrating them, Jack Fisher popped up again to break the partnership as he had Marshall caught at Midwicket by O’Neill.
Jack Hughes would produce probably his best spell of bowling in the red shirt and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket as he went for 19 off his 5 over spell.
Lancashire’s standards in the field were starting to slip slightly as Rigby and Pickford dug in and battled away, and the pair started to pick up a few valuable runs before putting on a partnership of 110 for the 4th Wicket. Joel entered the attack from the river end and picked up the wicket of Pickford with a catch by Finneran.
Callum Rigby continued to plug away and struck 2 straight 6s to push both his own total on and the teams, he finished on 99* at the end of the innings pushing a 2 to Dixon at Long on.
A couple of things to work on regards the fielding and bowling for the team in Red, but lots of positives also to take from the afternoon.
Next we make the trip to Port Talbot to take on Wales, hoping to build on our start to the campaign.