Shreck makes donkeys of Lancashire

9:18am Friday 16th May 2008

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Aggressive bowling from giant paceman Charlie Shreck left Nottinghamshire on the brink of a three-day victory over Lancashire at Trent Bridge.

Shreck consistently tested the visiting batsmen with a mix of feisty bouncers and full-pitched swinging deliveries, finishing with five for 40 from 26.3 overs.

While eight of the Lancashire line-up reached double figures, no-one got beyond opener Paul Horton's 37 as they were bowled out in their second innings for 233, just 144 ahead.

Notts then lost Will Jefferson in the final nine overs of play to close on 33-1, requiring a further 112 for the win.

Horton put on 70 for the first wicket with night-watchman Gary Keedy, who survived for two hours before finally being removed by Paul Franks three overs before lunch.

Keedy edged a defensive shot low and left of wicketkeeper Chris Read, who took an exceptional one-handed diving catch in front of first slip.

Franks struck again to dismiss Horton in his next over, shattering the right-hander's stumps with a quick full-pitched ball to bring up his 400th first-class wicket.

Shreck then stepped up after lunch with three crucial wickets, all caught by Read, although in each case the batsmen were also culpable with poor shots.