The other thing to consider is that Lancashire only needed one more wicket for another bonus point themselves.

coolerking wrote:

These last two wickets may yet put on a few runs but from a fantastic platform of 244 for 3, not reaching 400 would be a disappointment. The slow scoring did rob the innings of some momentum. That's a platform middle order batters dream about.

I'd have taken this position from 7/2 though!

True, but then would you have taken it from 244 for 3?

With the tail that we have, I'd say 371 is about par from there.

I’d put it this way. We lost the last 5 wickets for 49 runs. But Lamb and Burgess put on 50 together. No matter what the rate.
One of them gets out early and suddenly it’s 320 not 370. And equally it could have been less with a newer ball, and less overs under the bowlers belts.
The other thing is that 140 overs in the field is really mentally draining. If our bowlers bowl good lines, keep it tight, the batsmen will be really challenged to keep their concentration and not throw their wickets away.

Yeah Lancs bowled much better this morning, made us play at everything, very few leave balls, nothing to really hit. I thought Burgess and Lamb grafted it out well.

Wasn’t bad bowling by any means, but we didn’t seem to be able to threaten and be economical at the same time.

Though that was probably as bad as Miles has bowled all season. But everyone’ has a poor session every so often.

I didn't see much of us bowling today, what was Holder like?

I didn't see that much, just his first few overs. A little bit too full but I'm sure he improved.

I thought Holder was ok but didn’t do anything special. Was a bit loose early on then tightened up.
There didn’t seem to be too much in it for the seamers after the batsmen established themselves. Much like Hain and Benjamin’s partnership.
Think Briggs could be really important over the next couple of days.

I wish my day at Old Trafford had been yesterday rather than today. My money is on a draw.

Decent fightback this afternoon. I've noticed that the Old Trafford square, if that's the right word, looks awful.

Yeah nice little burst with the new ball.

If Somerset get a fine for a pitch that does too much. This pitch should too. It’s turgid at best. Hard to get wickets on, hard to score runs on.
No way should you get to the end of day 3 without any rain, and still have 2 complete innings to go, but neither team has posted 400. Just makes for an incredibly dull match.

6 wickets (again) for Liam. He's been an incredible acquisition for us - if only he could stay fit for a whole season!

Well done to Liam Norwell! I see our new overseas bowler failed to pick up a wicket. Could be interesting tomorrow- I expect Benjamin to score quickly to give us a chance to bowl them out. Draw is the most likely outcome...

I agree that fitness is the only issue with Norwell.
As for Holder, maybe it is early days but he didn't look much like a Test match bowler from what I saw yesterday. I'll reserve judgement until he has a few more overs under his belt.
He certainly looked as if his batting efforts will be entertaining but very brief!

You can rely on Paul Edwards to wax poetic about the approaching end if the season:
"Give it a month and such moments will be suddenly precious, their memory cherished on cool mornings when trees are suddenly aflame."
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-2021-1244186/lancashire-vs-warwickshire-division-1-1271382/match-report-3

Difficult to see this ending as anything other than a draw but if nothing else, I hope it gives Dom Sibley an opportunity to regain some form and most of all, confidence which he looks bereft of at the moment.

Completely unrelated to this game, but interesting to see that Kelley is playing for Leic seconds against Worc - wonder if that means he's been told his future may lie elsewhere?

Looks like he's been forced out, shame as he's a lovely gloveman and still young.