Commenting on the Specsavers County Championship defeat to Lancashire, Jim Troughton, said: “It was frustrating from lunch onwards on the first day. Both teams were going to take the positive route and bat first knowing there was going to be a little bit in the wicket for the first couple of hours maybe.
“We did the first bit pretty well. It was even at lunch. Then 27-5 kills you. It’s happened too many times this year, and you’re going to find it hard to get back from that position.
The win against Middlesex showed what we’re capable of. It’s just that we’ve got to show that over four days of cricket and not have these shocking hours where we’re losing clusters of wickets. We have to drag the likes of Yorkshire into it and put people under pressure.
Jim Troughton
“Third innings we’ve given ourselves a chance, but it’s all a little bit too late. It was a great innings by Tim Ambrose. If we could have got a three-figure lead or 150, you just don’t know with rain around and a wicket that’s dying a bit.
“But we’re not helping ourselves by losing clusters of wickets.
“What we’ve got to hope for now is for Essex to beat Somerset and Middlesex to lose at Surrey. It’s then a huge game next week against Somerset.
“The win against Middlesex showed what we’re capable of. It’s just that we’ve got to show that over four days of cricket and not have these shocking hours where we’re losing clusters of wickets. We have to drag the likes of Yorkshire into it and put people under pressure.
“Somerset will be a huge game. If they lose today, they’ll be in a similar position to us. There’s a lot to work on and look at.
“But we will park this here for the weekend. There’s only three players here who are involved in Finals Day on Saturday. We’ve got to clear our minds and make sure we have a good day.”
