McManus Misses Ton but Puts Northants on Top with Record Total at Old Trafford

Lewis McManus fell five runs short of a well-deserved century, but his 95 anchored a formidable Northamptonshire batting display as the visitors piled up a historic 496 at Old Trafford — their highest-ever total at the venue — before reducing Lancashire to 139 for 4 by stumps on day two of their County Championship Division Two clash.

McManus, who shepherded the lower order with patience and purpose, built on the earlier platform set by Saif Zaib (116), David Sales (92), Luke Procter (64), and Calvin Harrison (56). His 95, including a 48-run stand with Justin Broad and an 81-run eighth-wicket partnership with Harrison, propelled Northamptonshire past the 450-mark and left Lancashire facing a steep challenge.

Broad and Weatherall Dent Lancashire Reply

The day got even better for Northamptonshire as Justin Broad struck twice early in Lancashire's reply. He trapped Michael Jones lbw for 14 and then bowled Josh Bohannon for 5 with a delivery that uprooted off stump, leaving the hosts wobbling at 29 for 2.

Lancashire captain Keaton Jennings led a partial recovery, compiling a composed unbeaten 60, which included a flurry of boundaries — one over and a six in consecutive balls off Broad. Alongside Marcus Harris, he steadied the innings with an 84-run stand. Harris contributed 43 before falling to a sharp diving catch by Broad at midwicket off Raphy Weatherall.

Worse was to come for Lancashire when nightwatcher Anderson Phillip fell in the day’s final over, bowled by Weatherall, leaving the hosts 357 runs adrift and under pressure heading into day three.

McManus and Harrison Frustrate Lancashire

Earlier in the day, McManus, resuming alongside Zaib, took charge of the innings once Zaib was dismissed early for 116, edging behind while trying to drive Phillip. McManus reached his half-century from 97 deliveries and continued to grind out runs in testing conditions.

He received solid support from Calvin Harrison, whose 56 included some enterprising strokeplay, notably a reverse sweep off Tom Hartley to bring up his own fifty from 87 balls. Together, they added 81 runs for the eighth wicket, frustrating the home attack.

Lancashire turned to spin in search of control, with Hartley and Luke Wells bowling in tandem for the final 33 overs of the innings. While the tactic slowed the scoring, it didn’t bring breakthroughs until late.

Late Collapse Halts Northants Surge

The innings concluded abruptly, with the last three wickets falling for just 12 runs. McManus became the second Northamptonshire batter in as many days to fall short of a hundred, top-edging a slog off Wells to mid-off for 95. Hartley (3 for 91) then mopped up the tail, bowling Liam Guthrie for a duck and Harrison for 56, both via inside edges.

Despite the late collapse, Northamptonshire’s imposing total and strong showing with the ball have given them the upper hand heading into day three. With Lancashire still 357 runs behind and already four wickets down, the visitors will look to press home their advantage and aim for a statement win at Old Trafford.