Lancs head for relegation

9:34pm Wednesday 17th September 2008

Lancashire are hurtling towards County Championship relegation after another batting horror show against Kent at Liverpool.

The Red Rose county were bowled out for just 107 from 39 overs of their penultimate game of the season, and are now staring defeat and the boot from LV Division One full in the face.

Lancashire were bowled out for 125 in a mammoth 211-run defeat against Kent in the reverse fixture at Canterbury last month, but this was even worse.

Four home players recorded ducks in unhelpful batting conditions, as Steven Croft offered most resistance with a patient 65-ball 30 as extras top scored with 32.

Kent had won the toss and elected to bowl, and Robbie Joseph and Amjad Khan both claimed three wickets apiece. Yasir Arafat and Ryan McLaren notched two each.

This was a helpful wicket for the seamers with enough sideways movement on a damp surface following overnight and morning rain, but there is no way that it is a wicket which merits a side being bowled out for 107.

There was no play in yesterday’s first session because of the wet outfield and bowler’s run ups. 21 overs were lost.

Oliver Newby later claimed three wickets, while Glen Chapple chipped in with two to reduce Kent to 147-5 in reply.

But former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones hit an entertaining 88-ball 91 to give the visitors a lead of 40 runs.

“It was a difficult day for us,” said cricket manager Mike Watkinson. “You will have seen that this was a toss to win because they were juicy conditions and a lot of swing.

“I think that Kent got a few balls in the right areas, and a few that weren’t in the right areas.

“When you get in a little bit of a roll, as you have seen before, wickets come at a rush. Crofty worked hard to get us past the hundred mark.

“With ball in hand, I felt the wicket had improved quite a bit. But we still had the opportunities to take wickets. We are slightly disappointed to have conceded as many runs as we have.

“We can understand people’s frustrations, but we are feeling it too. This was the first time that we have had our pads on since we played Kent what seems weeks and weeks ago.”

Lancashire’s score of 107 was their lowest Championship score since 2005. They also dropped three catches.

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