Floodlit Cricket

 By Brian Sanderson.

 I recently purchased the above programme from eBay. This was
 the first floodlit match at a cricket ground
.The rules were each side will bat 25 overs before the break
 at approximately 7.00pm.
After the break ,the side that batted first will then bat for a
further 25 overs ,so complete their 50 overs.

As you will see from the scorecard Lancashire batted 17 overs scoring 124

When Yorkshire batted they lasted 15 overs scoring 119. I
 do not know if they reduced the overs as I have never seen
 a report on the match.

In the programme is article of a floodlit match at Gigg Lane Bury
on the 1 19542 and 13 October. 1954. The game started at 6.45 pm
and close would be 9.15. The players would play on a matting track
 using a white ball.

England batted and runs came easily and fine stroke play was the
 order of the evening as they piled up a total of 286. Chief scorers were Geoff Edrich  and Don Kenyon.

The opening bowlers for England were Fred Trueman and Les Jackson.
However the top wicket taker was Brian Close with five wickets.
The conclusion drawn from the whole episode at the time was that
floodlit cricket was not going to take off. Little did they know.

Looking through some 1981 Cricketers magazine ,I found this photographof Stamford  Bridge London where Essex were playing West Indies in August 1980