LANCASHIRE took command of their three-day game against Boland Academy in Cape Town thanks to a superb innings from new batsman Ryan Driver.

The 21-year-old left hander, signed from Worcester, hit a magnificent 93 as Lancashire raced to 357-6 declared at Belleville.

Tim Roberts, another recent signing, also impressed with an entertaining 70 and Joe Scuderi hammered an unbeaten 77. But there was disappointment for John Crawley for the first time on the tour when he was out out on the second ball after the drinks break when he was going well towards a big score.

The Academy had 10 overs to negotiate at the end of the day and did so without losing a wicket but they failed to get their total into double figures.

Lancashire, however, were faced with another injury problem when seamer John Wood hurt his ankle bowling his second ball of the innings and joined Graham Lloyd (back) on the casualty list.