Ashton Turner scored his second century in three innings to put Lancashire on course for their first Rothesay County Championship victory of the season in the Division Two match against Derbyshire at Chesterfield.
The Australian made an unbeaten 121 from 135 balls and was well supported by George Balderson, 82 off 60, and 63 from Michael Jones before Lancashire declared on 406-6, with Ben Aitchison taking 3-64.
That set the hosts the small matter of 513 which would be their highest ever fourth innings total but by the close they were 139-3, still 374 runs away.
Lancashire began the day already well placed with a lead of 220 but Aitchison took three wickets in an eight over spell from the Lake End.
Josh Bohannon was drawn into pushing at one that did enough to take the edge before Keaton Jennings aimed a big drive and was given out caught behind, although his reaction suggested he did not think he made contact.
When Matty Hurst was lbw to one that kept slightly low, Derbyshire sensed there might be an opening but first Turner and Jones and then Balderson emphatically reasserted Lancashire’s authority.
Turner pulled Aitchison for six on his way to a 67 ball fifty while Jones was even more dominant, reaching his half century, which contained two maximums, from only 41 balls.
Jones swept Mitch Wagstaff for another six and was eying a fourth until Aitchison at deep mid wicket knocked the ball up for Zak Chappell to complete a smart relay catch.
But by lunch, Lancashire’s lead was 377 and that soared as Balderson engaged the turbo, racing to a 42-ball fifty before Turner drove Wagstaff for his 10th four to reach a fine century from 124 deliveries.
The lead was over 500 when Balderson drove Martin Andersson to cover, ending a stand of 157 in 21 overs, which was the signal for Lancashire to declare leaving Derbyshire a highly improbable target.
A more realistic proposition was to hold out for a draw but they lost Caleb Jewell in the fifth over when he was squared up by Jimmy Anderson and caught at third slip.
It was the fourth time this season that Anderson has dismissed Jewell who, as an Australian, is in good company.
That was Lancashire’s last success for 24 overs as Wagstaff and Harry Came stood firm but the odd ball was keeping low and Balderson broke the stand when he squeezed one through Wagstaff’s defence and Came went in the next over, caught behind pushing at Tom Bailey.
Derbyshire’s position would have been even more parlous if Wayne Madsen on eight and Brooke Guest on 14 had not been dropped in the slips but Lancashire remain strong favourites to complete the job on the final day.
ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay
