Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, head-to-head record, weather forecast, prediction, and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the LV= Insurance County Championship...
Fixture: Lancashire v Kent
Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
Dates: Sunday, July 4, 2021 - Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Start time: 11am
What's the lowdown?
Lancashire are currently top of the Group Three table, leading rivals Yorkshire by four points and third-placed Northants by 16 points, and have won four, drawn three and lost one of their eight matches to date. However, their most recent red-ball outing saw the Red Rose slip to an uncharacteristic six-wicket defeat against Glamorgan in Cardiff, a result they will be keen to bounce back from.
Kent, by contrast, are just four points off bottom spot and are yet to win a red-ball match in 2021. The side, led by Daniel Bell-Drummond in the absence of Sam Billings, have drawn five matches (including their previous four) and lost three this season, clearly saving their best form for the T20 Blast. And, given the appalling forecast for the start of next week, they will likely make it five draws in a row.
Who's in form?
Josh Bohannan was Lancashire's leading red-ball run-scorer heading after eight matches, scoring 471 runs, including one century and three half-centuries. In his penultimate game before the break, he scored 127 not out against Yorkshire as Lancashire cruised to an innings and 79-run victory. Alex Davies (448) and Keaton Jennings (431) are the other two batters to pass 400 runs, with Lancashire's top-order performing well in the Championship.
Tom Bailey, Matt Parkinson and Saqib Mahmood are almost inseperable with the ball, taking 26, 24 and 23 wickets, respectively, and all posting sub-22 averages.
Ollie Robinson shone in Kent's last red-ball outing, scoring 120 from 119 balls against Northamptonshire after being promoted to the top of the order. The wicketkeeper is his side's leading run-scorer, with 534 runs, one century and two half-centuries.
However, Kent's star player has been the ageless Darren Stevens. With the bat, the 45-year-old has scored two centuries, including a memorable 190, on his way to 423 runs for the season - a total only Robinson and Jordan Cox can better. With the ball, he has a team-leading 26 wickets at an average of 19.65.
Last five first-class matches (most recent first)
Lancashire: LWDDW
Kent: DDDDL
Head-to-head first-class record
Total matches: 226
Lancashire wins: 91
Kent wins: 56
Draws: 79
Abandoned: 6
What's the team news?
The home team hope that James Anderson will be available as the veteran paceman looks to get into shape before India visit next month for the Test series. Liam Livingstone is away on international duty and a late decision is expected on Josh Bohannon's readiness.
Lancashire: TBA
The visitors have communicated their 13-man squad to head to Old Trafford. Daniel Bell-Drummond has not been included after injuring his thumb. Sam Billings remains unavailable on England duty.
Kent: Joe Denly, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Nathan Gilchrist, Fred Klaasen, Heino Kuhn, Jack Leaning, James Logan, Matt Milnes, Harry Podmore, Matt Quinn, Ollie Robinson, Darren Stevens.
Latest Lancashire news: Click here
Who's said what?
Saqib Mahmood confirmed the importance of this game and building the momentum from it to the Lancashire website earlier.
“We want to take maximum points off them, and we certainly won’t be easing off if we beat Kent", he stated. The paceman added that returning to more familiar territory would provide assurance, saying "We haven’t focused too hard on Kent yet because of the T20 stuff. But we’re back here at Emirates Old Trafford, where we play good cricket.”
What's the weather forecast?
Play is likely to be stop-start in Manchester with showers forecast on each of the four days and a thunder storm expected on Saturday night.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Old Trafford: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Lancashire will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All LV= County Championship matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every LV= County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets
Tickets are available, priced at £10 for adults, £8 for senior citizens, and £5 for under-18s.
Click here to access the Lancashire box office.
Travel
Address: Lancashire Cricket Club, Emirates Old Trafford, Talbot Road, Manchester, M16 0PX
Parking: The current Gatehouse at the Talbot Road entrance is no longer manned although there will still be a security presence between the hours of 7pm and 7am stationed within the Pavilion reception.
Unless you have bought a permit with a membership, parking will now be paid for from pay on foot machines that have been installed by the main entrance on Talbot Road and within the Trafford Cricket Centre reception, entrance located on Car Park 4.
This system may be suspended for certain matches where parking may be limited, and different matchday charges may apply. Spectators should check the Lancashire website prior to travel.
By train: Manchester Piccadilly, Deansgate Castlefield and Victoria all have access to tram stops, which will take you directly to the ground.
By tram: Metrolink runs every few minutes so you don’t need a timetable, you can just turn up and travel anytime from early morning til late in the evening.
For those visiting the region from further afield there is free parking for Metrolink customers at park and ride sites across the network.
Buy tickets at tram stops or by using the Get Me There app.
Nearest Tram stop: Old Trafford.
By bus: Manchester has a substantial bus network. Plan your journey to Old Trafford by clicking here.
Prediction?
The weather will likely be the only winner in Manchester. Draw.
OTHER ROUND 10 MATCH PREVIEWS
Group 1
Group 2
Gloucestershire v Middlesex
Group 3
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