By Stephen Thorpe at Old Trafford
First day of four: Somerset (37-0) trail Lancs (267) by 230 runs
A crucial 10 days in the offing at Lancashire's headquarters as they strive to stay in the championship reckoning. Next week's clash with Surrey, the leaders, may be of pivotal long-term significance, but first they must overcome Somerset, where another spicy contest seems in prospect after John Crawley's excellent 72 and Warren Hegg's undefeated 54, his fourth half-century in six innings, bolstered a moderate total.
A slow outfield hampered run-scoring but Lancashire were undermined more by the persistent and demanding outswing of Graham Rose and Andy Caddick, who shared seven wickets. Lancashire's recent history involves rapid capitulation against these West Country opponents, instigated by that unlikely bte noir, Kevin Shine, who has been superseded here by Matthew Bulbeck in only his third championship appearance.
Another left-armer of richer vintage, Wasim Akram, passed a late fitness test on his troublesome shoulder, won the toss and had no hesitation in batting on a scabrous-looking track. Michael Atherton laboured for half a an hour and 20 balls without managing a run, and was comprehensively bowled by a full-length ball from Rose, which struck middle and off.
Fellow opener Patrick McKeown, who scored a second-team triple century at Bristol a fortnight ago, stuck around for 2.25 hours for a valuable 39.
Bulbeck, 18, is a product of Taunton's Cricket Academy and the latest in a clutch of left-arm seamers nationally vying for recognition. Bowling genuine late indippers from a fast arm action, he took 12 wickets in his first two outings, but could make no impression on the watchful Crawley and McKeown.
Crawley, weakened by a bout of gastroenteritis which has cost him several pounds in weight, retained enough strength to pull Rose into the pavillion seating and square cut Marcus Trescothick to reach his half-century, before McKeown perished on the stroke of lunch, nibbling at Mushtaq Ahmed down the leg side.
The pitch is greenish and slow, but offered little untoward to ruffle batsmen bent on application, of whom Lancashire had too few yesterday.
Andrew Flintoff and Crawley put on 166 together against Northamptonshire last week, and Lancashire now needed more of the same. Flintoff, built like a Burnley blacksmith at 6ft 4ins and 16st, has a hefty reputation to match and immediately took a fancy to Mushtaq, pulling the leg spinner twice for four and launching his googly over long on with consummate timing.
Entrenchment appeared the priority, but Flintoff was soon bowled working across Trescothick and Graham Lloyd went next ball, well snaffled inches off the turf by Richard Harden at first slip. Mike Watkinson survived the hat-trick, aimed a few loose and lusty blows of his own then walked in front of Rose's outswinger.
Akram, bantering with Mushtaq and requiring his Pakistani colleague to re-tie his bootlaces, knows a thing or two about left-arm swing, and Bulbeck's second spell ended abruptly during a partnership of 55 with Hegg before Andy Caddick's three wickets flattened the tail.
The captain eventually edged a drive to wicketkeeper Robert Turner, then Ian Austin collected his second successive first-baller, fending a far more challenging delivery behind.
Hegg, however, showed commendable restraint and selectivity alongside Peter Martin in dragging Lancashire towards their second batting point.
Day 2: Bowler comes good with the bat at last
By Stephen Thorpe at Old Trafford
Second day of four: Lancs (267 & 139-4) lead Somerset (233 all out) by 173 runs
LANCASHIRE ground out a lead of 173 runs, a valuable advance in the context of another compelling, attritional day, and any target beyond 275 may be a tough proposition on this seamer-friendly pitch.
The match was finely balanced after John Crawley's late dismissal for 44, and Andy Caddick and Graham Rose, bowling sharp out- swingers to a heavily policed slip cordon, carried the game to Lancashire in bright evening sunshine.
Somerset were never at ease on a breezy morning, losing Piran Holloway to Peter Martin's late movement then Richard Harden first ball playing no shot.
Peter Bowler, meanwhile, remained unperturbed after Mark Lathwell fell lbw to Glen Chapple, finishing with 63 after 4.25 hours. The Somerset captain has suffered a torrid start to the season, just 83 runs in eight championship innings before yesterday's tribute to a disciplined obduracy which his charges largely failed to emulate. Simon Ecclestone threatened a semblance of support until Martin worked an off-cutter across him before Rob Turner was bowled first ball.
If Dean Headley and Caddick are in pole position for the berth vacated by Darren Gough for the Lord's Test, and Chris Silverwood and Ed Giddins sit in the wings, Martin may yet be a viable alternative.
Wasim Akram spent lunchtime renewing acquaintance with his old Test colleague, Mudassar Nazar, playing again at Bolton in the Liverpool competition after a two-year hiatus, and the captain ran in with renewed vigour after the break. Marcus Trescothick gloved a nasty lifter low to first slip then Chapple finally trapped Bowler in front.
Somerset approached parity after Rose's punchy 47 and solid support from Caddick until Akram claimed them both in a late burst.
Day 3: Match evenly poised
The match between Lancashire and Somerset at Old Trafford was left balanced on a knife edge despite yesterday's rain-shortened day, which demonstrated again the value of four-day cricket in weather-affected low-scoring contests.
The start was delayed by an hour and rain scudded in once more after 19 balls, necessitating an early lunch and the loss of 28 overs.
Andy Caddick, who has bowled well throughout the match, relieved Matthew Bulbeck after the youngster had removed Graham Lloyd, and he immediately claimed nightwatchman Glen Chapple.
Caddick celebrated with the wicket of Mike Watkinson, leg before for the second time in the match, and finished with figures of five for 80 off 29 overs as Lancashire were bowled out for 236, leaving Somerset needing 271 to win.
Day 4: Lancashire are taken to the limit
By Stephen Thorpe at Old Trafford
Lancs (267 & 236) bt Somerset (233 & 261) by 9 runs
LANCASHIRE shaded a marvellous match by nine runs, a margin far too close for comfort, after Marcus Trescothick (73 not out) and Graham Rose (56) had carried Somerset to the brink of victory against all odds.
The contest was compulsive viewing throughout, enriched at the end by Lancashire's apparent intent on contriving a speciality one-day finish, a cliffhanger the supporters could have done without.
Somerset were no doubt under strict instructions to make a game of it from Dermot Reeve, their absent coach, who travelled overnight having decided to play in a second XI AON Trophy game at Southampton. Their stern resistance was impressive at the start, Piran Holloway, in particular, eschewing the flamboyant and concentrating on occupation until Michael Atherton made a low catch at first slip look deceptively easy off Glen Chapple.
If Lancashire thought the match was as good as won at that point, they were in for a rude awakening. An hour and a quarter later, Rose had notched a splendid half-century, with nine fours from 65 balls, sharing a stand of 102 with Trescothick before Wasim Akram bowled him in a last throw of the dice.
Trescothick was no less composed in reaching his own landmark soon afterwards, but Mushtaq Ahmed let the side down badly when holing out at mid-on off Peter Martin. Rose must have sat aghast in the dressing-room, spitting feathers.
Trescothick had already been missed at third slip by Mike Watkinson then again, on 61, by Patrick McKeown from a square slash when a mere 22 were needed. Lancashire's fears were compounded when he pulled Martin for six over square leg in celebration but tears turned to joy when Wasim's final dart removed Andy Caddick off a thin outside edge.
The possibility that Somerset would make another 224 with six wickets remaining for their third successive victory at Old Trafford seemed remote indeed, but Lancashire's frustration mounted after half an hour when Holloway aimed to pull Wasim only to spoon a catch to cover point where John Crawley floored an absolute sitter.
Instead, Simon Ecclestone looked to hurry things along, edging a big drive off Ian Austin, then Rob Turner departed amid the whiff of controversy, caught by McKeown at short leg. Perhaps Lancashire were doubly fortunate; five minutes after stumps came the rain.