County Championship round-up: Luis Reece extends run of consecutive half-centuries to seven
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Your support makes all the difference.Batsman of the day
Luis Reece extended his sequence of consecutive half-centuries to seven – the first Lancashire batsman to achieve such a run since 1959 – but it was Paul Horton to whom the red rose county owed their position of strength against Leicestershire at Old Trafford. The 30-year-old opening batsman completed back-to-back Championship hundreds, finishing 150 not out as Lancashire collected three batting points. They need 15 from the match to guarantee promotion back to the First Division.
Bowler of the day
Veteran Somerset seamer Alfonso Thomas took four for 23, finishing with the wickets of Gareth Batty, Chris Tremlett and Jade Dernbach in his last nine deliveries without conceding a run to ensure Surrey did not claim a single batting point in the relegation battle at Taunton, where the home side picked up two and a first-innings lead of 65 on a pitch taking spin, although the weather looks like playing a part over the last two days. A draw would benefit Somerset more than Surrey, although less so if Derbyshire beat Durham. Nottinghamshire look to have made sure they avoid defeat after topping 400 at Lord's. Steven Mullaney completed a hundred and Andre Adams made 80– his biggest in the Championship for four years.
Extras
The day after Matthew Hoggard hung up his spikes, fellow 2005 Ashes hero Simon Jones has also called time on his first-class career. The Glamorgan pace bowler, 34, hopes to still play Twenty20 cricket next season, but his final first-class game will be his county's Pro40 final against Nottinghamshire at Lord's on Saturday.
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