Fresh air and fun

posted by John Winn

A friend of mind, a Nottinghamshire member who I usually meet up with once a year reckons the saddest day of the cricket season arrives when we reach the last page of fixtures in Playfair. Sad to report then that this week we have reached just that point and there was certainly a hint of autumn in the air when I left home at 7:15 this morning to drive to Blackpool for the Lancashire v Worcestershire game. This is the sixth and last of my 'listed matches' for this season and I have been very lucky, for only one day, that at Trent bridge in June, has been rain affected.
Listening to Radio Lancashire as I reached 'the other side' the forecast promised plenty of sunshine.This proved to be the case and even if the breeze from the sea was a little cool at times it was nevertheless a good day to watch cricket from the excellent vantage point of the south end at Stanley Park. The last time I saw cricket in Blackpool, in 2007, 18 wickets fell on the first day and only one of those before lunch. If today's events were not quite so spectacular Lancashire still found themselves four down at lunch but were then rescued by Croft and Maharoof in the afternoon. Croft, Blackpool born, scored a century which included four sixes, being particularly severe on Ali and Choudry.
Lancashire lost their remaining wickets quickly after tea but soon had 'The Pears' in tatters at 21 for 5. Kapil and Andrew brought about a revival to finish on 77 for 5, but Worcestershire will start tomorrow over 200 in arrears on a wicket, which without being devilish will almost certainly produce a result if the weather allows, which it probably will. If the result goes in the hosts' favour then Lancashire will have taken a big step towards the championship, especially as Somerset were restricted to only half an hour's play at Taunton today in which they lost their two openers for twenty runs.
I enjoyed the company of some Lancashire pcws today, one of whom by coincidence had been at the game I attended at Methley on Sunday.Also close by were two Worcestershire visitors who see the second relegation place as a battle between them selves and Yorkshire. After a disheartening day at Stanley Park their spirits will have been raised somewhat by the news from the opposite coast, namely Sussex's revival at Scarborough. I will be at North Marine Road tomorrow, let's hope I can lift the petals of the white rose.
An added bonus today was the opportunity after tea to drive a couple of miles to St Anne's CC where Lancashire II were taking on Durham II in a SET three day game.I spent an hour there enjoying a cup of tea in the splendid club house. The cricket was rather turgid but Lancashire's batsmen had built up a commanding position when I left at six o'clock. Once I left the M55 and M6 behind I enjoyed the drive home through Craven and North Yorkshire in lovely evening sunshine. Let's hope there is as much fresh air and fun at Scarborough tomorrow.