Northants face tough task

Crawley did not offer a chance in his innings

County Championship, D1: Lancashire 600/6d v Northamptonshire 218/3 (day two)

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Northamptonshire were given the chance to begin chipping away at the mammoth 600-run target set by Lancashire in the afternoon session of the second day of their County Championship Division One match at Old Trafford.

Resuming on 444 for three, the home side lost Joe Scuderi for 89 when he was bowled by Paul Taylor and eventually saw John Crawley return to the pavilion on 280, that included 39 fours and a six.

Warren Hegg racked up his half-century as Lancashire reached 553 for four at lunch and finished the innings unbeaten on 75.

The home side declared shortly after Chris Schofield became their sixth casualty, bowled by Michael Strong for two.

Northants reached 102 for one at tea, Adrian Rollins the man out, bowled by Gary Keedy for 21.

Although they lost Mal Loye, who was forced to retire hurt, Mike Hussey sniped away, finishing on 93 before falling lbw to Schofield with the score at 171 for two.

Anthony Penberthy became Keedy's second scalp, caught by Andrew Flintoff for 17.

But Russell Warren had reached 63 at stumps, in partnership with Tobin Bailey, with Northants ending the day on 218 for three with 56 overs completed.

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Lancashire: M J Chilton, J P Crawley (Capt), A Flintoff N H Fairbrother, J C Scuderi, W K Hegg (Wkt), C P Schofield G Chapple, G Yates, J Wood, G Keedy.
Northamptonshire: M E Hussey, A S Rollins, M B Loye, R J Warren A L Penberthy, G P Swann, T M B Bailey, D Ripley (Capt, Wkt) M R Strong, J P Taylor, J F Brown.