Long delay at the seaside.

Posted by Tony Hutton

Another journey into Lancashire on Thursday 16th August, for day two of the county second eleven game between Lancashire and Leicestershire at Stanley Park, Blackpool. The weather improved as we got further west and hopes were high for a prompt start, after one or two rain delays yesterday.
However on arrival it soon became apparent that a long delay was likely. The wicket ends looked particularly wet and it transpired that the plastic sheeting around the covers had blown away during the night allowing water to get under the covers leaving a soggy mess, particularly at one end.

The sun was shining, with a warm breeze blowing and a good gathering of spectators had time to find alternative amusement before the first inspection due at 1.30. Certainly good drying conditions and we were optimistic that play would commence after lunch. Quite a long walk round the attractive Stanley Park and it's lake, becoming a regular feature on our travels around the country. Several people we know were in attendance and time for a catch up on people we had met and places we had been to.

The overnight score at Blackpool.

The first inspection was non-committal with another scheduled for 2 p.m. So off we went for a drive up the coast in a northerly direction alongside the tram track to have a look at the sea and preparations for the Blackpool illuminations which will be coming shortly. On our return play had been scheduled to start at ten past three.

Leicestershire take the field.

Play finally gets underway.

Lancashire had batted on day one and a strange looking scoresheet had emerged. Young Hameed was 130 not out, but numbers two, three, four and five, including Chanderpaul had all been dismissed for ducks. Parry at number seven had improved things with 64 and Lancashire were 270-7 at the close. Strangely, we felt, they batted on when play did start and Hurt with 40 and new boy Sanders with 46 helped take the score to 383 all out with Hameed left 183 not out.

Hameed 183 not out.

New boy Sanders, from Cheshire via Loughborough University, opened the bowling with Hurt and looked distinctly brisk, removing Swindells lbw first ball and after Evans and Ali had taken the score to 40, took two further wickets in two balls to leave Leicester 40-3, on which score they remained for almost half an hour. By the end of the day with an extra hour played to make up time Evans and Azad had taken the score to 95-3.

The view from the balcony in the evening sun.

So despite the long delay an enjoyable visit to the seaside with the ground looking a picture in the evening sunshine, distant views of Blackpool Tower and good food still available in the bar during the late evening session.

I assume the rain must have returned on day three as the match ended in a draw despite a couple of declarations which meant Leicester needed 319 to win. They got as far as 152-1 when play ended with obviously the chance of a good finish if play had continued.