County Championship: Lancashire v Warwickshire – Bears take command

Rain delayed the start of play and when it did begin with Lancashire resuming on 66-3, New Zealand batter Tom Bruce (3) lasted only five balls before he was bowled by Olly Hannon-Dalby.

Captain Keaton Jennings and George Balderson had added 44 in between two further brief rain delays before Bethell began to work his magic.

He got one to turn on left-hander Balderson (12), which was caught at slip, although replays suggested the batter had not hit it.

Then in his next over, Bethell claimed the key wicket of Jennings, lbw for 36 off 140 balls to one that may have drifted down leg, to have Lancashire teetering at 116-6.

It did not take long after lunch for Warwickshire to wrap things up as the two Toms, Aspinwall and Bailey, both fell to Bethell, with Aspinwall (3) chipping one to mid-off and Bailey (4) stumped by miles.

Having only grabbed two first-class wickets before, Bethell trebled his career tally in one innings.

Then T20 specialist Lintott, playing his first red-ball game for nearly 12 months, grabbed the last two Lancashire wickets for his best-ever first-class figures as well.

It was the third time that the Red Rose have been dismissed for under 150 in their first innings this season, underlining why they are struggling in the Championship.