Yesterday at Old Trafford two players took a measure of revenge on their old counties. For Lancashire former Northants' bowler Richard Gleeson took five wickets while returning Lancastrian Luke Proctor helped revive Northants when they lost quick wickets after lunch.
I had last seen this fixture in 2013 when the visitors were bowled out by Glen Chapple and Kyle Hogg for 62 and Lancs lost 8 by close of play. That day the lights were on and the atmosphere humid, yesterday the sun shone to welcome the championship back after its month layoff to accommodate the one day competition. The combined might of Trans Pennine and Metro Link bore me from York in time to see umpires Robinson and Baldwin emerge from the edifice at the Brian Statham end.
The toss having been contested Northants were put in and Vasconcelos and Newton made steady progress until the former was caught behind off Gleeson, probably the first man with a Portugese passport to be dismissed by a man from Blackpool, at least on a Tuesday in May. The South African soon returned to action when Robert Newton was forced to bat with a runner, just as he did on the beach on Treasure Island. With skipper Wakely soon becoming Gleeson's second victim debutant Temba Bavuma came to the crease. The diminutive South African played some attractive shots and the visitors lunched contentedly at 80 for 2. Not so contented were some Lancs' spectators sitting near me particularly when one of their company mentioned the S word and Lancashire's seemingly cockamamie decision to play a championship match at Sedbergh School. Knives were sharpened in anticipation of that evening's members forum although social media suggests the LCCC does not allow questions about the running of the club. If so that makes such events even more of waste of time.
The early afternoon was very much in favour of the Red Rose with Newton, Bavuma, Keogh and Cobb dismissed while only 32 were added but Northants rallied thanks to a stand of 70 between Proctor and Luke Wood, on loan from Notts. Proctor completed Gleeson's five wicket haul which brought the third and most surprising debutant to the crease, Jamie Overton, in my mind a fixture at Somerset. There were wickets for Onions despite fate three times sending him chasing the ball to long off when there was just a hint that he will be 37 before the season ends. Wood was last to go for 66 and Northants closed on 230. Time for me to go but time for Hameed to get out before stumps with Lancs on 29 for 1.
A broken down train at Garforth delayed my arrival into York by 30 minutes but did not spoil an enjoyable day of intriguing cricket with runs scored at a little under three an over. Meanwhile at Bristol another form of the game was being played with a run rate of 7.5. You pays your money.
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