Chanderpaul bails out Lancashire

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Shivnarine Chanderpaul dug Lancashire out of a hole after Glen Chapple's decision to bat first against Hampshire back-fired

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West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul saved Lancashire from embarrassment with an innings of 118 at the Rose Bowl, the 54th first-class century of a distinguished career.

Captain Glen Chapple chose to bat first in overcast conditions, which offered plenty of help to the Hampshire attack, and at the close Lancashire had mustered 262 for eight from 96 overs.

It could have been far worse but for Chanderpaul.

The experienced Guyanese left-hander was in complete control as wickets tumbled around him.

He came to the wicket when Lancashire were 35 for two in the 18th over, having lost Tom Smith to a catch behind off James Tomlinson and Paul Horton to another at second slip off David Balcombe.

Chanderpaul received precious little support as the ball darted around in the first session and then again after lunch.

He was involved in two substantial stands in an otherwise bowler-dominated day.

Steven Croft helped him add 78 for the fourth wicket and Luke Sutton added another 77 for the sixth, but without short-term signing Chanderpaul, Lancashire would have paid a heavy price for the decision to bat first.

Mark Chilton was the third batsman to go with the score on 41, giving debutant wicketkeeper Michael Bates a second catch.

Lancashire took lunch at 65 for three and Croft helped Chanderpaul take the score to 119 before he chopped the ball onto his stumps when facing left-arm spinner Danny Briggs.

Gareth Cross departed at 127 to a catch behind off Briggs, but Chanderpaul stood in Hampshire's way.

Sutton was a reliable ally during the sixth-wicket stand but pace bowler Balcombe returned to dismiss him to a smart catch at first slip by James Vince.

Chanderpaul reached his century soon afterwards with his 13th boundary, turning Balcombe to fine-leg for another four.

Chapple fell at 246 to give former Lancashire bowler Dominic Cork his first wicket of the innings and just before the close Chanderpaul's resistance was finally broken.

Again it was the durable Cork, 39 next week, who made the breakthrough having Chanderpaul caught behind after more than 70 overs of defiance.

Chanderpaul faced 217 balls and hit 16 fours to help Lancashire recover to a position of parity.

Sajid Mahmood got off the mark with a six off Tomlinson and was nine not out at the close.