Late yesterday afternoon I drove to Clifton Park, York to see the National KO holders playing Doncaster in their group final of this year's competition. As I arrived York were just beginning their reply to Doncaster's 135 all out. Easy peasy I thought as Liam McKendry and Snell added thirty for the first wicket but the introduction of spin at both ends changed the pattern of the match.
With Widdup, who had been bowled for 0 in Doncaster's innings, taking 3 for 35 and Jackson conceding only 15 off 8 overs York were left on 87 for 4 after 29 overs. During these proceedings a large black cloud had built up behind the pavilion which almost certainly would bring rain and I was surprised by an apparent lack of urgency in York's batting. The cloud duly delivered the threatened rain and as the players left the field the covers appeared. I waited about 15 minutes before deciding there was little prospect of any more play.
My wife had texted to say it was still bright and breezy in the Lower Ure Valley but as I drove home the rain pursued me along the A59 and overtook me by the time I reached Green Hammerton. Checking later on the competition website I saw that Doncaster had been awarded the tie on faster run rate. No Duckworth Lewis here I assume.
Acting captain for York, Nick Kay had described this game as his team's most important match of the season and I suspect there may well have been recriminations in the dressing room that they had surrendered their title in such a manner. Doncaster now go forward as group two winners to the last 16 where they will be at home to the winners of Blaydon and South Northumberland.
I have recently read a biography of A N Hornby by Stuart Brodkin, one of the excellent 'Lives in Cricket' series published by ACS. Hornby was one of those amazing all rounders the late nineteenth century threw up, captaining England and Lancashire at cricket, playing Rugby Union for his country and football for Blackburn Rovers. In addition he was a boxer and hurdler as well as hunting and shooting. It is not clear what he did in his spare time but fishing seems an obvious omission. In the biography there is reference to a short film (just under 9 minutes) available on YouTube which shows Hornby batting in the nets against Arthur Mold, a controversial figure of his day who was no balled on a number of occasions for throwing. For me the best bits are the shots of the Lancashire members, clearly enjoying the novelty of being filmed and setting standards for dress code that even the current Lancashire club would not dare impose. 'Sorry, sir you can't come in without a straw hat'. Railway buffs will enjoy the locomotives passing the ground. Just put Hornby and Mold into YouTube search
To Headingley today wondering what might be in store. Better weather would be a start but will Andrew Gale be tempted to go for broke and set Surrey a target, assuming that is that Yorkshire don't lose too many early wickets and find themselves hanging on rather than dictating terms. In the event of a declaration half an hour of KP could ruin any calculations. Interesting, very interesting.
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