Lancashire U19s beat S&B CC in pre-season friendly

Jonny Whitehead

Lowerhouse's Jonny Whitehead warmed up for the start of the competitive cricket season in convincing style on Saturday 31 March when he hit an unbeaten 135 to help a Lancashire U19 (Federation XI) defeat Southport and Birkdale by 85 runs.

The 17-year-old right-hander scored 75 more runs than his team mates' combined total and his 174-minute stay at the crease earned him only 25 runs fewer than the aggregate mustered by all the other batsmen in the game at Trafalgar Road.

Watched by Lancashire Academy Director John Stanworth, Whitehead hit 20 fours and one six in his 126-ball innings as the county colts put together a formidable 202 for eight in their 45 overs.

Initially watchful against the moving ball on an early-season wicket which offered the seamers a measure of assistance, Whitehead eventually unfurled an array of attacking leg-side strokes and reached his century in 143 minutes off 103 balls.

The next highest contribution to the total was the 25 made by Haslingden's Jack Taylor, who helped Whitehead add 52 for the second wicket.

Woodhouses' Nick Doyle made 20 and shared in a 75-run stand for the third wicket, but no one else made double figures and the rest of the innings was dominated by the batsman who hopes to help Lowerhouse defend their Lancashire League title in the summer when the club celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Southport and Birkdale's batsmen looked in need of middle practice and never threatened the target posted by the county's colts. The spinners claimed six of the wickets to fall, Rochdale slow left-armer Greg Butterworth bowling very tidily to finish with four for 18 from his nine-over allotment.

Lowerhouse begin the defence of their title away at Bacup on Sunday 15 April.

This article was featured in the Lancashire Telegraph newspaper and was written by: Paul Edwards