Not much to laugh at

Posted by John Winn

Only 8 overs were possible at Headingley today during which Yorkshire added to their overnight score without loss and without too many alarms. Rain sent the players to the pavilion at 11:40 and exactly four hours later and after a second inspection, it was announced that there would be no more cricket.  There was a touch of irony in that at this point we had the best sunshine of the day, and as I type two hours later, it continues to shine.

The faithful gradually slipped away as the afternoon wore on but those who stuck it out found various ways of passing the  time. Jennifer brought the news that there had been no play at Todmorden and those who had considered a trip to that disputed territory were glad that they had opted for Headingley. News was also received that play had been abandoned at Weetwood. Others looked forward to the trip to Arundel next week and there was discussion of the master plan for Headingley. Few if any felt in good enough health to feel that they might take their seats in the proposed new pavilion in the north west corner.

In the meantime the square was covered, then uncovered or at least partially so before rain returned as did the surface water. All very frustrating and somewhat at odds with the forecast on Look Leeds this morning. Tomorrow seems likely to be equally capricious and although more settled weather is forecast for Wednesday the draw must be the favoured outcome.

Inevitably days like today impact more on some than others and you might like to feel sympathy for my friend Frank Siddle, no relation, who made the 60 mile journey from his Teesside home arriving just in time to miss all the cricket that was played. Bad luck Frank, there will be better days, but probably not tomorrow.