BLACKPOOL — James Anderson's much-anticipated debut as Lancashire's interim captain was overshadowed by a resilient Ben Compton and persistent rain as Kent took control on the opening day of their County Championship clash at Blackpool.
A Damp Start to Anderson's Leadership
England's record wicket-taker, handed the reins for Lancashire's final two Championship matches, saw his first day in charge disrupted by weather after just 35 overs were possible at Stanley Park. "It's not how I imagined my first day as captain would go," Anderson admitted at the close, "but these things happen in English cricket."
Compton Grinds Lancashire Down
Kent opener Ben Compton (56*) anchored the visitors' innings with characteristic grit, frustrating Anderson's attack in overcast conditions ideal for seam bowling. The left-hander's patient knock included:
- 56* off 138 balls
- 7 boundaries
- Just 1 chance offered (dropped on 42)
Lancashire's bowling figures told the story of Compton's dominance:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | 7 | 2 | 15 | 0 |
| Bailey | 8 | 3 | 19 | 1 |
Missed Opportunities
Lancashire's fielding let them down at crucial moments. Compton was dropped at second slip by Luke Wells off Will Williams when on 42, while Kent captain Jack Leaning survived a sharp caught-behind chance on 12. "Those are the moments that change sessions," lamented Anderson. "We created enough chances but didn't take them."
Weather Halts Lancashire's Fightback
Just as Lancashire appeared to be building pressure with two quick wickets after lunch, rain arrived at 2:17 PM with Kent 120/3. The covers remained on for the rest of the day, leaving Anderson frustrated: "We'd just started to get some rhythm and then the weather intervened. That's September cricket for you."
Tactical Observations
Anderson's captaincy showed glimpses of his Test-match pedigree:
- Frequent bowling changes (6 in 35 overs)
- Aggressive field placements for Compton
- Early introduction of spin (Tom Hartley in 18th over)
However, Kent's batting coach Simon Cook praised his side's application: "Ben's innings was exactly what we needed in these conditions. He's shown all season he can bat time, and today was a classic Compton knock - leaving well, playing late, and capitalizing on anything loose."
Looking Ahead
With better weather forecast for Day 2, Anderson will hope for early breakthroughs. Kent will resume with Compton and new batsman Joey Evison at the crease, looking to build a substantial first-innings total on a pitch showing occasional variable bounce.
Lancashire's assistant coach Mark Chilton remained optimistic: "Jimmy's handled everything brilliantly today. His experience shone through in how he managed the bowlers and the conditions. If we can take those chances tomorrow, we're still very much in this game."
Scorecard Summary
At close, Day 1: Kent 120/3 (35 overs) - Compton 56*, Leaning 22, Bailey 1/19. Full scorecard available on the ECB website.
The match represents Anderson's final red-ball appearances before England's winter tours, with the 41-year-old expected to feature in both the Test series against India and the subsequent Ashes. How he balances his own bowling workload with captaincy responsibilities will be fascinating to observe as this match develops.