Lancashire: Chilton call-up (26 July 1997)

26 July 1997

Chilton call-up

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

LANCASHIRE have called up Mark Chilton for his second Sunday League appearance at Southampton tomorrow.

The 20 year old from Manchester Grammar School will replace Nathan Wood in the only change from the championship match against Hampshire as Lancashire bid to return to the top of the table.

Chilton made his Sunday debut against Middlesex at Uxbridge three weeks ago and impressed with both bat and ball, hitting a handy 22 after taking 1 - 35 in eight overs.

Meanwhile, Lancashire were poised to set Hampshire a stiff victory target on the last day of the championship match today.

They slumped into trouble at 53 - 5 in their second innings with some poor batting after tea yesterday. But skipper Mike Watkinson was joined by Ian Austin to repair the damage and they resumed today after an unbroken half century stand with Lancashire already 260 runs ahead.

Watkinson and Hampshire captain John Stephenson had agreed that the home side would declare when Matthew Keech completed a century, although Watkinson did not look impressed when Stephenson wafted him for two straight sixes in a single over.

Lancashire agreed not to enforce the follow-on but wanted a lead of at least 350 before declaring today on such a good pitch.

Those hopes were in big danger as they slipped to 11 - 3 with Jason Gallian caught smashing a long hop to point, Nathan Wood caught behind down the leg side and Graham Lloyd edging a good ball from Stuart Milburn to Hampshire wicket keeper Adrian Aymes.

Neil Fairbrother looked determined to make up for running himself out in the first innings but was bowled playing no shot to an in-swing from Stephenson after a stand of 40 with Andy Flintoff.