Holland’s Early Blows Leave Lancashire Relieved by Rain on Tricky Opening Day
Lancashire’s batters may have quietly welcomed the persistent rain that curtailed play after just one session on the opening day of their Rothesay County Championship clash with Leicestershire at Emirates Old Trafford.
Put in to bat under overcast skies, Keaton Jennings' side stumbled to 61 for three by lunch before light showers merged into a steady drizzle, forcing the abandonment of play at 4.30pm.
In the opening hour, former Hampshire all-rounder Ian Holland extracted plenty from the pitch, striking twice in an impressive eight-over spell for just 13 runs. He bowled Michael Jones through the gate for 10 and dismissed Jennings for nine, caught at first slip, to leave Lancashire wobbling at 19 for two.
Josh Bohannon and Marcus Harris then adopted a cautious approach, adding only six runs in the first seven overs of their partnership. Their stand was worth 25 when Bohannon, having spent nearly an hour at the crease for nine runs, was caught down the leg side by Ben Cox off Ben Mike.
Leicestershire could have tightened their grip further, but Matty Hurst was given two early reprieves—dropped by Cox and third slip Rehan Ahmed in his first nine deliveries. Still, Lancashire might count themselves fortunate to head into lunch with just three wickets down.
By the break, Harris was unbeaten on 19 from 54 balls, and Hurst on 13, having survived his chances. With the match eventually called off for the day, the hosts may not have been too disappointed to avoid further exposure to Leicestershire’s disciplined bowling attack.
For Leicestershire, the session only reinforced their strong start to the season. Peter Handscomb's men top the table, while Lancashire—tipped by many for promotion—remain winless after draws against Middlesex and Northamptonshire, and trail their visitors by 16 points.