Lancs v Hants, at OT

Hants (7 pts) 194, 54-0 drew with Lancs (8 pts) 224.

The weather played an integral part in the opening Championship game at Old Trafford, hardly a shock at this at this time of year,as the game petered out into a tame draw due to the wet conditions.

It is, however, still disappointing as this potentially captivating opener started to unfold with two sides who both harbour ambitions of pushing Champions Notts right to the very end.

Despite the main overseas attractions not on show this week (as well as Flintoff, Anderson, Mahmood and Pietersen), there was enough quality here to keep the spectators riveted throughout.

The game did not get underway on day one at the scheduled time, but finally at 3pm we had some action. Mark Chilton had won the toss and made a seemingly predictable decision to insert Hampshire into bat on a green looking surface.

In retrospect, the spectators that braved the weather and stuck around were fortunate enough to witness 51 overs that did not look possible at 11am the same morning.

It turned out to be a day Tom Smith will not forget in a hurry. He recently joined the professional staff at Old Trafford, having come through the academy and made an instant impact.

Smith picked up 3 wickets for 29 runs off his 13 overs to leave Hants reeling at the end of the first day on 139-7. Among his victims was returning player John Crawley, who left the club under a cloud in 2001, for 20.

Luke Sutton was another making his Lancastrian debut behind the stumps. He claimed 2 catches, one an outstanding effort diving to his right.

The experienced Glenn Chapple was also impressive, he is bowling as quick now as he ever has and no less accurate.

The Hampshire batsmen were making starts but not converting these scores into more commanding totals, and within 17 overs of day two Lancs had wrapped the innings up. Dominic Cork, Oliver Newby and Chapple picking up the remaining 3 wickets, Chapple finishing with 3-46.

It could have been worse still for the South Coast side, had Zimbabwean all-rounder Sean Ervine not played a sensible innings of 44 not out, including a crucial partnership of 41 for the last wicket.

The home side found out that the conditions were not easy, and slumped to 88-5 having lost key players in Chilton, Loye, Law, Horton and Sutton. It was left to Chapple and Sutcliffe to attempt to re-build the innings.

After accumulating 54 for the sixth wicket, Sutcliffe finally fell for 39, the awkwardness of the pitch emphasised by the 189 minutes he took at the crease.

On the third, and what turned out to be the final day, Chapple managed to reach 70, before falling to Hants seamer Richard Logan. Along the way he received good support from Tom Smith who made 26.

On passing 54 runs, Chapple joined an elite band. He became the 10th Lancastrian to reach 5,000 first-class runs and take 500 wickets. A monumental effort and just reward for such a loyal and consistent performer.

The records were not finished for this game, Hants keeper Nic Pothas becoming the first player in the clubs history to claim 7 victims in a first-class innings.

Lancashire finished all out for 224, a lead of 30 runs. James Bruce the pick of the visitors attack taking 4-52.

Hampshire reduced the deficit without any undue problems and when the rain brought an inevitable yet premature end to the day they had reached 54 without loss.

Despite the ground staffs best efforts, play was not possible on the final day due to the persistent rain.

So a draw to start with for Lancs, and they picked up 8 points for their troubles, Hampshire travelled home with 7.

One thing is for sure, both sides will be buoyed by the arrival of their Australians who are due imminently. Brad Hodge at Old Trafford and the mercurial Shane Warne at the Rose Bowl.

(BBC Lancashire, 24/04/06)