COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Headingley:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Lancashire 226-7 (Yorks 2pts, Lancs 1pt)
19-22 August 2009

Chilton hit his seventh Championship half century of the season

Former Lancashire skipper Mark Chilton led a determined rearguard action at Headingley as his team fought back on the first day of the Roses Match.

Yorkshire made a great start as, inside three overs, both Lancashire openers went to leave the visitors on 2-2.

But VVS Laxman (40) and Mal Loye (24) helped repair the damage.

And, although Adil Rashid took three wickets, Chilton's unbeaten 73, backed up by Francois du Plessis and Kyle Hogg, led Lancashire to 226-7.

Chilton has now hit seven half-centuries in four-day cricket this season and made more Championship runs (694) than any other Lancashire player. However, he is yet to make it to three figures.

The visitors had elected to bat first, but Matthew Hoggard got plenty of away movement from the first ball of the match to Paul Horton.

And, along with Tim Bresnan, the former England paceman took full advantage of the helpful conditions in their opening overs.

Bresnan struck first with his fifth delivery which found the edge of Steven Croft's bat, keeper Gerard Brophy holding a great one-handed catch diving low to his right.

In the next over, Horton failed to make full contact when driving at Hoggard and Jonny Bairstow took the catch at backward point.

It was left to Loye and Laxman to lead the fightback. And, although both registered centuries in the last Roses clash at Old Trafford just three weeks ago, the going was much tougher on this occasion.

Their 63-run third-wicket stand was finally broken when Loye top-edged a short ball from Rashid to backward square leg.

After lunching on 66-3, Laxman reached his half-century from 118 deliveries. But, three balls later, he lost patience against the persevering Rashid and drove a simple catch straight to Hoggard at mid-on.

The watchful Chilton was then joined by du Plessis, who played the dominant role in a 52-run fifth-wicket stand before falling lbw attempting to sweep spinner David Wainwright.

Chilton continued to accumulate runs steadily but stand-in skipper Luke Sutton made just four in 11 overs before hanging out his bat at Bresnan.

At 159-6, Lancashire could have folded completely but, once again, their tail wagged, Hogg helping Chilton to ease the pressure with a profitable seventh-wicket stand.

Hogg was put down on 19 by Brophy off Hoggard. But, after Lancashire went on to pick up their first batting bonus point, Hogg then skimmed a catch to midwicket to earn Rashid his third wicket.

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