LONDON, England, CMC – West Indies speedster Kemar Roach made crucial strikes as Worcestershire put Division One leaders Lancashire on the back foot on the opening day of their County Championship game here yesterday.
The right-armer claimed three for 69 to help send Lancashire tumbling to 161 after they won the toss and opted to bat first at New Road.
In reply, the hosts closed the day on 209 for six, a lead of already 48 runs.
Worcestershire started the day well when they reduced Lancashire to 10 for two, with opener Paul Horton lbw to Alan Richardson (2-32) and Karl Brown offering no shot to Roach in the innings’ fifth over and departing in similar fashion.
Wickets tumbled steadily as the visitors lost their way and only tail-ender Kyle Hogg showed any resistance with a breezy 43-ball 46.
In Division Two, ex-Barbados and West Indies seamer Corey Collymore took one for 17 from 14 miserly overs as Leicestershire were bowled out for 193 in response to Middlesex’s mammoth 496 for two declared at Lord’s.
England Test captain Andrew Strauss stroked an unbeaten 241 for Middlesex.
