Vasconcelos Century Leaves Northants in Control at Lancashire

Ricardo Vasconcelos scored exactly 100 as Northamptonshire took firm control of their County Championship Division Two match against Lancashire at Old Trafford. BBC Sport, carrying a report from the ECB Reporters' Network, said the visitors declared their second innings on 298-4 before reducing Lancashire to 24-2 by the close of the third day. The hosts need another 422 runs to reach a target of 446.

Watch the highlights:

Northamptonshire first completed a decisive morning with the ball, dismissing Lancashire for 137 after the home side resumed with eight wickets remaining. The final eight wickets fell for 57 runs in less than 90 minutes. Ben Sanderson returned 4-39 and Liam Guthrie took 3-51, while leg-spinner Yuzi Chahal also contributed to the collapse.

Lancashire captain Keaton Jennings was dismissed for 37 when he edged Guthrie to substitute fielder Louis Kimber at third slip. Arav Shetty, Rocky Flintoff, Noman Ali and Mitch Stanley were all trapped leg before, while Joe Moores was bowled and Championship debutant Ben Walkden fell first ball. Stanley's six helped Lancashire pass the follow-on mark before their innings ended.

Vasconcelos and Luke Procter then added 121 for Northamptonshire's first wicket after lunch. Procter survived a chance on 39 but was eventually leg before to Tom Bailey for 46 on the stroke of tea. Vasconcelos reached his fourth century of the season from 126 balls, completing the landmark with a single from Shetty.

Noman Ali dismissed Calvin Harrison for 29 and then removed Vasconcelos five balls after the opener reached three figures. Nathan McSweeney was bowled for 29 by Walkden, but Saif Zaib continued to an unbeaten 55 and George Bartlett finished 32 not out. Northamptonshire declared after 64 overs, leaving Lancashire 11 overs to negotiate before stumps.

The closing passage reinforced Northamptonshire's advantage. Jennings was out for a duck after edging Sanderson toward fourth slip, where Zaib parried the chance and Kimber completed the catch. Five overs later, Harris was leg before to Chahal for 10. Lancashire ended on 24-2 with a demanding final-day task, while Northamptonshire remained positioned to press for the victory.