County Championship: Livingstone puts Lancashire on top at Worcestershire

Liam Livingstone sped to an unbeaten half-century as Lancashire moved into a first-innings lead in their rain-affected match against Worcestershire.

After only 38 overs in the first two days at New Road, they finally started their reply to the Pears' 98 all out.

Keaton Jennings was out for six before Wayne Parnell dismissed Alex Davies and Rob Jones with successive deliveries.

But Livingstone hit nine boundaries in his 53 not out before bad light ended play, with the Red Rose on 110-3.

His partner in the middle, Haseeb Hameed, scored at a much slower rate but will resume on 22 - after so far facing 87 balls.

Play started at 14:10 BST after mopping up on a damp outfield, but the players were taken back off at 16:45 as the light closed in, with play suspended an hour later.

England opener Jennings fell lbw to Worcestershire captain Joe Leach, while South Africa all-rounder Parnell found himself on a hat-trick in his first over after having Davies caught behind and bowling Jones.

Livingstone - an England T20 international - struck eight fours and a six to reach 50 from just 68 balls, and his partnership with Hameed is worth 78 runs.

Lancashire are replying to Division Two's lowest score this season, with the hosts skittled on day one.

Pears paceman Wayne Parnell told BBC Hereford & Worcester:

"For us now, going into the last day, it is probably about trying to get some bonus points and then taking the game deep.

"The rain helped us a bit to take time out of the game but we have to try and knock them over and get bonus points.

"I've always liked to test myself against good opposition. The better the opposition, the better I perform.

"It was nice to actually have a bowl after my hamstring injury and get that out of the way and it was a decent first over."

Lancs all-rounder Liam Livingstone told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"It is so frustrating when there is so much rain around. I felt in decent nick. I felt like I was hitting the ball well from last week.

"It was a bit tricky early on but got a bit easier as time went on. It was about getting in and hopefully setting a foundation to try and get to 200 but the light has stopped us getting another point.

"Hopefully there is a miracle and somehow this rain disappears. But you can only control what you can control.

"It's a shame because we are playing good cricket and getting into positions where we can win games and keep getting done by the rain."