Rob Keogh’s innings of 74 ensured Northamptonshire finished Day 3 in a commanding position with a lead of 341.
It was a bright start to the morning for Lancashire as Davies and Croft picked up where they’d left off on Day 2. Northamptonshire struggled to find a breakthrough with the old ball until it’s very last delivery, Alex Davies pulling Keogh straight to Bavuma at midwicket in the 79th over. Ben Sanderson took the new ball immediately and struck in his second over with it, trapping Croft in front for 78. This started a procession of Lancashire wickets that saw the visitors bowled out for 315.
Parry followed Croft in the next over, Brett Hutton beating his fence to send middle and off stump flying. Hutton had another not long after, Mahmood edging to Vasconcelos at first slip. Sanderson struck in the next over, Rossington taking a great diving catch to his left as Onions inside edged a ball that nipped back. Hutton wrapped things up, Rossington again with a smart grab to get Gleeson for 8. Northamptonshire taking an important first innings lead of 127 into the lunch break.
Northamptonshire’s hope of extending that lead into an invulnerable position took an early hit as Lancashire found assistance from the new ball to leave Northamptonshire 14 for 3 inside 5 overs. Vasconcelos and Levi both lbw to Onions in the same over before Bavuma drop Gleeson into the hands of point. Rob Newton and Rob Keogh battled hard in testing conditions to weather the storm of the new ball. The pair ground out an important 50 run partnership as a weakened Lancashire bowling attack toiled, Mahmood picking up an injury and not expected to bowl for the remainder of the match.
Rob Keogh raised his half century in 97 balls as the pair continued to build the Northamptonshire lead. The partnership was just 4 short of 100 when Newton cue-ended a cut to the keeper to depart for a valuable 48. Captain Rossington came to the middle with clear intent as he and Keogh began to up the scoring rate in the evening session. The pair added 54 before a mix-up saw Keogh just short of his ground, run out for a crucial and well made 74.
Rossington continued to bat with a clear motive, pulling Gleeson twice in an over both to and over the boundary. He was undone by some extra turn from Parry though, bowled for 33 off 30 deliveries. Hutton and Procter took things through to the close, adding 46 before bad light ended play 3 overs early. Northamptonshire finishing the day with a lead of 341.
Northamptonshire 442 (Bavuma 103, Vasconcelos 77) & 214/6 (Keogh 74, Newton 48)
Lancashire 314 (Sanderson 4/62, Keogh 3/43)