Kerrigan helps Lancs climb off the ropes

Lancashire 93 for 0 (Brown 48*) trail Glamorgan 474 (Goodwin 194, Allenby 92) by 381 runs
Scorecard

Even in his 41st year Murray Goodwin is a batsman whose thirst for runs remains gloriously unslaked. Angular, compact and resolutely well-organised, the Zimbabwean gives the impression that scoring a century merely lays the foundation of his innings.

Goodwin's demeanour also suggests that he is, in the best sense of the word, a most combative cricketer. It is little wonder that one strays into the semantic field of boxing to describe the technique of this chunky, square-jawed batsman, who mixes a very tight defence with the cuts and punches that earn him his runs.

Yet on the second afternoon of this game - and having added 56 runs to his overnight 138 - Goodwin was eventually removed by Simon Kerrigan, a young spinner whose desire for success is no less keen than the man who is more than 16 years his senior. When just six runs short of passing 200 for the tenth time in his career, Glamorgan's close-season recruit from Sussex carelessly slapped a short ball from the slow left- armer straight to square leg where Andrea Agathangelou pocketed a low two-handed catch with his customary aplomb.

That Goodwin was plainly annoyed with himself as he stalked off the field reflected well on his professionalism; all the same, it was unfortunate that his disgruntlement prevented him fully acknowledging the generous applause that came from all the open stands at Old Trafford.

In truth, Goodwin's dismissal - he was eighth out after batting for 458 minutes and facing 354 deliveries - concluded a period in which Kerrigan effected a partial restoration of Lancashire's fortunes in this game.

At 408 for 4 and having lost only Jim Allenby on the second day, lbw to a Glen Chapple shooter for 92, Glamorgan had seemed set to build a total which would have left Lancashire with little but a draw to play for. Instead, Kerrigan had Mark Wallace caught at slip, probably off inside edge and pad, for 37 and then took three wickets for seven runs in 18 balls as the Welsh team declined to 474 all out, a total which is still very formidable without being quite the riches they hoped for.

Kerrigan's performance offered further proof that he possesses the tough character which is the sine qua non of any successful spinner. Having been at less than his impressive best on the first day of this game, Kerrigan took 5 for 48 in 13.1 overs on Tuesday and finished with 7 for 162 from 49.1 overs.

The 24-year-old has now taken 39 wickets in nine County Championship games and he is now comfortably the most successful spinner in the country. If Monty Panesar is still the favourite to make the winter tour to Australia as Graeme Swann's understudy, Kerrigan cannot be too far behind him and it would be only natural for the Lancastrian to cast an eye over the massive stands being erected for the Ashes Test and wonder when his chance might come.

For the moment though - which is what the professionals are so often encouraged to experience and enjoy - Kerrigan's efforts have given Lancashire a sniff of a chance of overhauling Glamorgan's total and maybe pressing for an unlikely victory in this game. That impression was confirmed when Karl Brown and Luis Reece, Lancashire's fifth opening partnership in seven games, added an untroubled 93 runs in 40 overs in the evening session.