James Anderson led Lancashire to their first County Championship win of the season today (July 2), ending the club's winless streak in his second game in charge of the side.
Lancashire beat Derbyshire by 261 runs in Chesterfield in round nine of the second division competition. Centuries from Keaton Jennings and Chris Green in the first innings were backed up by eight wickets in the game from George Balderson and an unbeaten hundred from Ashton Turner on day three – his second century in as many games.
Match 78, Derbyshire vs Lancashire
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Lancashire's winless streak
The win ends a barren run for Lancashire, who had recorded just three Championship wins in two years prior to the match and were winless so far this season. They were relegated from Division One last year, having lost six of their 14 games and drawn five. Despite that low, Lancashire were favourites to win promotion again this year, with the services of Anderson at their disposal following his Test retirement and a smattering of senior players and overseas pros.
ALSO READ: How Lancashire became the worst team in the County Championship
However, their start to this year's Championship campaign sparked a crisis at the club, especially after they lost to Northants in the fifth round of the competition having been in a commanding position. Following that match, Keaton Jennings resigned as Lancashire captain, and he was replaced with overseas Australia batter Marcus Harris. After their second loss of the season later that month and still without a win, head coach Dale Benkenstein also resigned, leaving Steven Croft as his interim replacement.
Why is Anderson captaining Lancashire?
The Derbyshire game was Anderson's second in charge of his boyhood club, having made his captaincy bow at the age of 42 last week against Kent. While Harris was named as Jennings' replacement earlier in the season, the top order batter has returned home to Australia for the birth of his second child.
ALSO READ: Anderson-led side smash 500 in a day to spark hopes of season turnaround
In his first game in charge against Kent, Anderson presided over Lancashire smashing 519 runs in one day, with the match ending in a draw.
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