Former Australian Test batsman Simon Katich insists Lancashire did all they could to force a result against Worcestershire as their season opener ended in stalemate.
The Red Rose took nine points from the rain-affected LV= County Championship Division Two clash – their first since 2005 – against the Pears at Emirates Old Trafford.
And Katich – who scored 84 in Lancashire’s first innings – believes a similar performance in the coming weeks will see Peter Moores’ side start the summer positively.
“I think at the start of the season, we set ourselves to be really ruthless in the way we play our four-day cricket,” he told Lancashire’s official webiste.
“The way we did it with the ball and the bat, we did everything we could to win the game.
“Unfortunately we lost too much time. If we can keep playing our cricket like that, we’ll put ourselves in a position to win games.”
After losing the toss, Worcestershire scored 334 in their first innings with Luke Procter taking four wickets and Glen Chapple, Simon Kerrigan and debutant Wayne White two apiece.
Lancashire replied with 448-7 declared with South African Ashwell Prince’s 95 the standout contribution as Katich, Procter and Paul Horton all recorded half-centuries.
The declaration left 60 overs for Lancashire to dismiss the visitors on day four and knock off any runs although the weather had the final say with the draw inevitable.
“There was a chance that if we had nipped a few out early with it being overcast and a few younger guys in their middle to lower order, we could have put them under a bit of pressure,” he added.
“From where we were at late on day two, it looked like it would be pretty difficult for us to get a result.
“But we put them under a bit of pressure, even though they were only one down.”
Chapple made an early breakthrough although Worcestershire’s second innings was cut short by rain in the 12th over with the visitors on 26-1.
Left-hander Katich – who had a short spell at Old Trafford in 2010 – spent last season with Hampshire and is already enjoying life back in the North West.
“I certainly enjoyed my month here a couple of years ago,” he said.
“I was really impressed with the set-up, and the guys have welcomed me back.”
Image courtesy of TelegraphTV, via Youtube, with thanks.
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