A precious unbeaten half century from Lancashire all-rounder Luke Wood set up a potentially match-winning total at Emirates Old Trafford with Kent going into the final day of a rain-affected match trailing by 185 runs after the hosts closed on 259 for nine.
Wood batted superbly throughout the majority of a third day which saw 51 overs sent down by an increasingly frustrated bowling attack that were unable to take advantage of the home side’s precarious position at the start of play.
Both teams were forced to make changes following the overnight news that England’s entire ODI squad was to be replaced with Lancashire’s Matt Parkinson and Kent’s Zak Crawley both heading south to Bristol.
No play was possible until deep into the afternoon and it was 3pm when Steven Croft and Rob Jones strode out with Lancashire 108 for five and clutching a slender lead of 34 runs.
Just nine runs had been added when Croft shouldered arms to a lovely nip-backer from Darren Stevens and turned around in shock to see it had clipped his off stump.
Wood came in to join Jones and the seventh wicket pair began a mission to distinguish any hopes Kent might have had of keeping to the lead to a manageable margin.
By tea the hosts were 155 for six and looking secure with a priceless 50 partnership coming up soon after the interval.
Jones was three short of his half-century when the impressive James Logan got one to spin sharply and induce an edge to Stevens at slip ending a partnership of 69 runs that had taken the lead to 112.
Logan quickly added another when Danny Lamb top-edged to Stevens for two, but the incoming Tom Hartley, who replaced the England-bound Parkinson, was able to give valuable support to Wood who brought up his half-century from 98 balls as Lancashire’s lead tipped over the 150 mark.
Batting with a freedom against the spin of Logan, Jack Leaning and Joe Denly, the ninth wicket pair brought up their 50 partnership with five overs left and had extended the Red Rose’s lead to 174 when Hartley was caught at second slip by Jordan Cox off Matt Quinn for a useful 24.
As if to emphasise Lancashire’s dominance the final over of the day saw man of the moment James Anderson hit two boundaries off Stevens to finish unbeaten on eight with Wood closing on 63 not out.
James Logan, Kent off spinner, said:
“We didn’t go as well as we wanted with the bat and it’s put us behind in the game but I think as a bowling unit we’ve stuck at it and bowled quite well in long periods.
“It is very frustrating when they get partnerships but it’s about sticking in and not trying to chase that wicket because that’s when you can go for a few boundaries rather than staying tight. Hopefully we can now bat well and save the game.
“It’s gone well for me personally and the first wicket yesterday meant a lot as I’m trying to do my best and impress the coach and everyone. On a personal level I’m happy but it would be nice if we can save the game.”
Luke Wood, Lancashire all-rounder, said:
“We’ve had a few funny days with the weather and it can really play tricks on you as players. You can be moping around all morning and you can end up getting a bit tired and bored and then all of a sudden you’ve got to come out and play.
“We said at the start of the day we needed a couple of partnerships to score runs and take time out of the game. I think we’re have a chat in the morning and maybe we can sneak the lead up to 200 and then go from there.
On James Anderson….
“It is interesting bowling with Jimmy (Anderson) – you have to be so switched on because he creates so much pressure even when he’s not taking wickets. You don’t want to alleviate that pressure and it definitely switches you on a bit more. It’s brilliant to bowl in tandem with him when he’s doing what he’s doing.
“1,000 wickets is a joke really, especially as a seam bowler, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better spell than that. It’s just the way he sets people up and works out their weaknesses and exploits them – it’s incredible to watch.”