Lancashire continued their stay in Worcester for the 4 day fixture. With Parkinson passing a late fitness test, only one change was made with Tom Bailey getting his first start of the season at the expense of 2nd spinner Liley.
Lancashire struggled after winning the toss, coming up against veteran Magoffin's accurate seam bowling on a reasonably sound pitch. Jennings (40) and Chanderpaul (53) offered some resistance and only a partnership of 53 between Jones (43)) and Vilas (32) could keep the long tail safe until late on day 1. When they both fell quickly, wickets continued in their wake, Magoffin ending with figures of 5-80. Although the last 2 wickets added 51 runs, the Red Rose could only muster 253.
The Lancashire bowlers faired better, with Anderson snaring Mitchell for a duck in the 5th over to a flying Croft at gully and then Ferguson also for 0 to start with figures of 4-4-0-2. This soon became 3 as Whitely became the third duck of the innings. With Onions getting into the act, Worcester were reeling at 15-4.
The Worcs batsmen continued to be frustrated, Rhodes holing out to mid off with a rash shot for his 5 off 31 balls. Anderson returned for his 2nd spell and Trapped top scoerer D'olivera (19) on the crease and the introduction of spin also brought about further wickets. With 16 runs needed for the follow on the be avoided, Worcs were 88-7 and it was narrowly avoided with Worcs ultimately limping to 118ao. Anderson ended with 4-33 with 2 wickets apeice for Onions, Bailey and the semi-fit Parkinson.
With a sizeable lead, Lancashire moved into day 3 in the hope of batting as long as they could for a defendable target on what still seemed a good batting track. Despite regular wickets the runs of Jennings (67) and Chanderpaul (52) the batting side were ahead by 363 moving into the final session of day 3. A quickfire 33 from Bailey propelled the lead to 395 and despite Leach picking up 5-79 the innings folded at 262 with the Red Rose having the advantage.
The bowling attack made inroads into the Worcester line up and pinned them back to 56-3 before the day was out. The batting was a lot more controlled this time around as the pitch deteriorated, creating uneven bounce. Anderson's (5-21) second spell seemed to be the icing on the cake for Lancashire and when spin was introduced in tandem just before lunch the scoring rate stalled, but it was up to Anderson to come back and nip out the last pairing.
Worcester were all out for 145, some 252 short of the target.
There was some consolation for the hosts with Leach claiming match figures of 9-148. The gulf in class was reinforced by the table, with Worcs missing a win in all 6 CC matches this season and Lancashire extending their lead at the top to 17 points over Essex having played one match extra.
Lancashire 21 pts BT Worcestershire 3 pts by 252 runs. MOTM Leach 9-148.
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