Somerset County Championship hopes hit as wickets tumble on opening day
Twenty-one wickets fell on the first day of the Vitality County Championship match at Emirates Old Trafford where title-chasing Somerset earned just a six-run first-innings lead over relegation-threatened Lancashire.
Replying to Lancashire's 140 on a seam bowler's pitch, Somerset made only 146 but then took the vital wicket of Keaton Jennings for four as the home side ended a bizarre day on 16 for one, giving them a lead of 10.
In the first three hours of play, Lancashire were dismissed in 40 overs with Craig Overton and Lewis Gregory picking up four wickets apiece and the only substantial resistance being offered by home skipper Jennings, who made 56.
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Jennings' dismissal had left the hosts on 85 for four, with things declining rapidly in the afternoon session with a collapse of four wickets for one run in 24 balls and their last six falling for 26 runs in less than an hour's cricket.
However, Lancashire's seamers operated just as effectively, George Balderson taking four for 50 and Tom Bailey claiming four for 37 as Somerset took a seemingly paltry lead thanks to Gregory's late unbeaten 30.
Five overs before the close, Jennings edged Gregory to Andy Umeed at slip and the day ended with debutant Harry Singh and nightwatchman Will Williams defending stoutly against the Somerset attack.