Maharoof's dream debut
Farveez Maharoof wrote himself in to the Lancashire record books at Liverpool on Friday
The Sri Lankan all rounder completed a century on his debut during the morning session of the third day of the LV= County Championship match against Somerset, before taking two crucial wickets after lunch to help put the skids under the visitors.
He was also involved in a run out to cap a great debut, and his Lancashire team-mates pushed a reluctant Farveez to the front to take his plaudits as the teams left the field at the end of the match.
A century on debut is a rare acheivement. Only 7 Lancashire players had scored a hundred on their first team debut for the county before Maharoof, the most recent being Andrew Symonds in 2005.
Gary Yates still holds the record as the batsman lowest in the order (at number 9) to have scored a century on what is generally recognised as his first team debut (having already played first-class games against Oxford University and touring teams).
There is just one word to describe that - fantastic,” said Maharoof, who is just the third Lancashire player to score a century on his Championship debut and the first to reach three figures while batting at No.8 since Glen Chapple in 2001.
“I have four first-class centuries but this is the number one for me because of the tough conditions and it was against a good side. It doesn’t get any better.”
It is Lancashire’s second successive victory by an innings this season, having started their campaign with a win over Sussex at Liverpool.
“It was a fantastic performance,” said Mark Chilton, who captained the side in the absence of the injured Chapple. “We had a lot of confidence from the first game, individuals are in good form, but the whole attitude was first class against a very good team and everybody should be very proud of that performance.
“Maharoof was fantastic, it was great to see him do that and is really encouraging for the future.
“He just looks a proper player. If he performs like that each week he is going to get runs. He has a sound technique and plays spin very well. It was a fantastic debut for him.”
Steven Kirby claimed his sixth wicket of the innings for Somerset as Craig Kieswetter claimed a good catch to dismiss Sajid Mahmood for 20 in the opening session.
But it didn’t stop Maharoof as he launched countryman Ajantha Mendis for a straight six and then, three overs later, smashed three boundaries off the spinner.
The former Sri Lanka Under-19 skipper brought up his hundred in 131 balls with his 13th four.
Former England opener Marcus Trescothick claimed his fifth catch of the innings as Oliver Newby nicked a Charl Willoughby delivery to slip for 14, and Maharoof soon followed, trapped lbw by Arul Suppiah. But it was enough to give Lancashire a 183-run first-innings lead.
And he wasn’t finished there. Maharoof found Suppiah’s edge in his first over with the ball, with wicketkeeper Gareth Cross claiming a neat catch. Nick Compton followed four overs later, this time Paul Horton the catcher at slip.
