A day of learning for Luke Wood

ELIZABETH BOTCHERBY AT EMIRATES OLD TRAFFORD: The 25-year-old seamer spent day two clutching a poisoned chalice – the honour of being Jimmy Anderson’s bowling partner versus the danger of becoming Glamorgan’s punchbag

Scorecard

Rather like yesterday, the dominant themes at the start of day two of Lancashire versus Glamorgan were Jimmy Anderson and the weather.

The veteran seamer, aptly bowling from the James Anderson End, took just seven balls to leap into the spotlight, removing Billy Root courtesy of a possibly harsh lbw decision to reduce Glamorgan to 121 for four. He then considerately conceded one run apiece from Chris Cooke and Kiran Carlson to allow the scoreboard to read 123-4 at the change of ends.

The weather, meanwhile, contrived to cause as many disruptions as possible, pausing play for nearly an hour just after 11.30am before triggering a mad scramble for the catering team and ground staff alike as the hypothetical lunch bell tolled seven minutes early.

With the exception of David Lloyd, it’s possible the white, motorised cover deployed to protect the square had clocked up more minutes on the pitch than Glamorgan’s batsmen as the afternoon session rolled around. Not that I had a problem with that, its presence on the field triggered numerous tangential thoughts, including observing its striking resemblance to the Rebel starship intercepted by Darth Vader’s Imperial star destroyer in A New Hope, and wondering what the Spanish word for hovercraft was. For those interested, it’s aerodeslizador.

However, in a desperate bid to find something more exciting (no offence, Jimmy) to think about, Lancashire’s number 14 – Luke Wood – caught my attention.

It’s fair to say the 25-year-old’s first-class career to date has had its ups and downs. After making his debut for Nottinghamshire against Sussex one month after his 19th birthday in September 2014, Wood enjoyed a marvellous 2015 with 30 wickets at 30.32, 420 runs and his maiden century – 100 from 96 deliveries (also against Sussex) - in 11 appearances.

Since then, there has been little to get to excited about – sporadic appearances for Nottinghamshire, the highlights of which were an 18-wicket season in 2017 and a rare half-century two years later, and uninspiring loan spells with Worcestershire (2018) and Northamptonshire (2019). Even his first season at Lancashire yielded just 52 runs and three wickets in two Bob Willis Trophy appearances.

But, in 2021, he is finally beginning to emerge from the shadows.

Starting slowly against Sussex, he picked up two for 70, dismissing Tom Clark and Delray Rawlins in the first innings, and scored 32 from 72 deliveries in a 93-run sixth wicket stand with captain Dane Vilas. A week later against Northants, he chipped in with 40 runs and a further four wickets.

Then, against Kent in Canterbury, he hit his first century in any format since June 1, 2015, scoring 119 from 241 balls to put his side in a commanding position. His 187-run eighth wicket stand with Danny Lamb was a Lancashire record, but it was the latter, who top-scored with 125, who dominated the headlines. With the ball, he dismissed three of Kent’s top five but was no match for Matt Parkinson’s spotlight-deserving seven for 129.

As per usual, Jimmy Anderson steals the show

So, to the matter in hand: Lancashire versus Glamorgan. Before this match, Wood had never played in a bowling attack alongside Anderson, an experience he discussed at the end of Thursday’s play.

"Watching him go about his work and chatting to him at mid-on was great," he said. "You never stop learning, especially from someone with that calibre. You just have to watch him bowl and you can see that quality – he’s always beating the bat and it’s a pleasure to watch, and it makes you think: 'I’ve got to be on it here.'

"It probably ups your quality, and it is great to have him here. It’s what you play the game for."

And it’s fair to say, day two was a learning experience for Wood.

Coming through Thursday largely unscathed – he picked up the late wicket of Lloyd just before close to finish with figures of one for 26 and tilt the match in Lancashire’s favour – he emerged on day two exactly where he had left off, clutching a poisoned chalice.

^{Jimmy Anderson hangs on to dismiss Kiran Carlson off Wood’s bowling}

He was Anderson’s bowling partner, backed by his captain to perform alongside one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and occupying a front-row seat to soak up his wisdom. However, with Glamorgan’s players batting purely to survive against Anderson, Wood was in danger of becoming a punchbag, his six-ball interludes representing the best opportunity to score.  

He shared a 12-over spell with Anderson, conceding 22 runs to his partner’s nine, and continued to bowl until lunch, picking up the wicket of Kiran Carlson (caught at third slip by Anderson) during his penultimate over.

However, where the morning session had been a gentle lesson, the afternoon was like an exam he’d cram-revised for. Returning to the attack with Glamorgan 241 for six, he found himself up against Dan Douthwaite who, knowing he would be frustrated by Anderson, decided to use Wood for range practice.

The Lancashire bowler edged the first over, conceding just four runs, but was rudely dispatched for a six and a four in his second. Another boundary followed in Wood’s third over before Douthwaite bagged seven in the fourth.

Dan Douthwaite's Odyssey: An unrealistic dream come true

Anderson, offering guidance from mid-off throughout the afternoon, stepped in to remove Glamorgan’s number eight and end an 81-run stand which, given the unpleasant weekend forecast, has all but rubber-stamped the result as a draw. As for Wood, his figures may have ballooned from two for 57 from 17 overs at lunch to two for 82 from 21 at tea, but it was a valuable lesson learned: every loose delivery, particularly when Anderson is at the other end, will be punished.

Wood bowled two further overs after tea, conceding nine runs, before Saqib Mahmood and Matt Parkinson returned to the attack to break Glamorgan’s resilience. The duo dismissed Callum Taylor, Michael Neser, and a high-spirited Timm van der Gugten – fittingly caught by Wood at mid-on – shortly before half past five, Glamorgan all out for 344.

Wood’s day ended there, Lancashire’s number seven, to the surprise of no one, staying well behind the boundary rope as his side began their innings. 23 overs bowled (14 on day two), 91 runs conceded, and two wickets taken – a performance to reflect on in the Manchester sunshine.

Subscribe today and receive The Cricketer’s centenary issue – six issues for £19.21. Click here