Maher keeps Lancs at bay

Jimmy Maher pulls during his stoic innings of 95 at Old Trafford © Getty Images

Jimmy Maher crafted a workmanlike 95 as Durham threatened to derail Lancashire’s Liverpool Victoria County Championship title hopes.

The Australian left-hander led the resistance as Durham, anxious for points themselves to stave off relegation, frustrated the hosts by running up 255 for four on the opening day at Old Trafford.

Lancashire went into the game trailing First Division leaders Sussex, who do not play this week, by 19 points and needing victory to give them the best chance in a dramatic finale to the season.

But Durham were in no mood to assist Lancashire’s bid to win a first outright title since 1934, and Maher looked determined to dig in after the visitors won the toss.

He needed to work hard in the morning session, however, as new-ball pair Glen Chapple and Dominic Cork made him wait 39 balls and 50 minutes to get off the mark.

When Maher finally scored his first run he raised his bat to the pavilion and removed his helmet to ironic applause.

He was clearly intent on batting a long time, and his half-century, which included five fours, occupied 168 balls.

His only moment of alarm came on 40 when he edged Chapple behind to Luke Sutton off a no-ball.

Gary Scott sweeps during a fruitful opening stand of 109 with Maher © Getty Images

Maher put on 109 - Durham’s best opening partnership of the season - with Gary Scott, making Lancashire wait until the 55th over for their first wicket.

Scott was the man to go, lbw to a full toss from left-arm spinner Gary Keedy for a fine 53, although he had been dropped on 34 by Iain Sutcliffe at short leg.

It did not prove the breakthrough Lancashire had been looking for as young wicket-keeper Garry Park - playing as a specialist batsman - continued where Scott left off, hitting 45 in a stand of 75 with Maher.

It was not until the evening session when Lancashire finally started to make inroads, Park’s brisk knock ending when he pulled Tom Smith – named in the National Academy squad on Tuesday – to Cork at mid-wicket.

Maher’s dogged effort was brought to an end after 288 balls and 10 fours when Chapple managed to induce an edge to Sutton for a second time, this time off a legitimate ball.

It came just one delivery after Maher had survived a strong lbw appeal and, with Dale Benkenstein falling soon after for a quick 33, Lancashire may have sensed their luck turning.

Indian Murali Kartik, Lancashire’s second spinner, accounted for Benkenstein when he flicked a catch to Keedy at short third man.

The cheering that accompanied his dismissal, however, had more to do with the noisy Glaswegians outside the ground arriving for Celtic’s Champions League clash with Manchester United than the Lancashire members.

There were to be no further successes for Lancashire, with Ben Harmison unbeaten on 18 at the close and Gareth Breese nought not out.