Old Trafford – Lancashire CCC

6^th May 2014 

Lancashire v Sussex
(Day 3 of 4)

With a day to kill in Mancunia prior to United’s evening match with Hull City I decided to drop in on the “other” Old Trafford: the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club.  It did feel a bit odd dipping into the third day of a four day match; rather like pitching up at half-time at a football game, then disappearing again on 67 minutes.  But I didn’t find this detracted too much from what was an engrossing day’s sport.

OK had the weather not been so kind, it would not have been quite so pleasureable, but for six hours I sat on (a number of) surprisingly comfortable seats, grazed my way through chicken pieces, orange juice and a Mars bar, and generally enjoyed a relaxing time of it in the company of a few hundred other equally chilled souls.

(A far cry from the United game that evening, where I got into an expletive-filled shouting match with the clown in front of me who refused to sit down.)

Old Trafford - Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Old Trafford - Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Lancashire v Sussex - May 2014

Sussex bowler Ashar Zaidi

Chris Nash hitting his only four during the Sussex second innings.

The Point conference centre - not sure I liked this thing.

Old Trafford - Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Old Trafford - Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Anyway – back to civilisation.  The Day Three play had commenced with Lancashire on 157-6 and toiling to get anywhere near Sussex’s first inning score of 298.  The run rate was painfully low during the first hour, with the hosts only managing to add one more run during the opening four overs.  Alex Davies nevertheless enjoyed a fun time at the crease achieving, so we were informed, his maiden half-century by the early afternoon, before being caught by Ashar Zaidi. 

As Davies trudged off, I briefly got a little excited to learn the next man in was a famous name I recognised.  But I swiftly realised this was actually one Glen Chapple and not Greg Chappell (who I imagine must be well into his sixties now).  Silly boy, Ian.

Lancashire muddled on but failed the make their innings last until lunch, and were all out for 191, Sussex subsequently declaring their second innings on 216-5.

Throughout the afternoon I was fascinated by the duel between Lancs. spin bowler Stephen Croft and Sussex’s Michael Yardy, and was really rather delighted to catch the latter’s dismissal on my camera.  I think I will rarely again be so fortunate with my snapping.

Paul Horton catches Michael Yardy off Steven Croft's bowling.

Paul Horton catches Michael Yardy off Steven Croft's bowling.

Paul Horton catches Michael Yardy off Steven Croft's bowling.

Paul Horton catches Michael Yardy off Steven Croft's bowling.

Paul Horton catches Michael Yardy off Steven Croft's bowling.

Paul Horton catches Michael Yardy off Steven Croft's bowling.

Paul Horton catches Michael Yardy off Steven Croft's bowling.

Paul Horton catches Michael Yardy off Steven Croft's bowling.

*****************************************************************************

3rd August 2018

Lancashire v Leicestershire
(Vitality Blast)

And finally, at the fourth time of asking I witnessed my adopted side Leicestershire win a match.  That it was just one of those grubby little T20 affairs, I did not mind a bit, as I loved the ebb and flow of this encounter.

It was Mohammed Nabi's remarkable 86 from 32 balls (featuring eight! sixes) which derailed the home side's seemingly inexorable stroll to victory, after they had the visitors toiling at 105/5 with just seven overs remaining.  The target for victory being a seemingly over-the-horizon 191.

But such was the efficiency with which Nabi, and his partner Ateeq Javid to be fair, hacked chunks out of the Lancashire lead, that I was startled when glancing at the scoreboard to note it was suddenly saying Leics. were now requiring 14 runs form 12 balls.

A pair of apparently effortless sixes by Nabi had the home support around me groaning, before Javid's neat boundary sealed the win. 
       

 

*****************************************************************************

17th July 2022

England v India
(One Day International Series)

This match was the decider in a three game ODI series.  Rishabh Pant top scored for India with an unbeaten 125, as the tourists won by 5 wickets to take the series 2-1.

Recently appointed England ODI & T20 captain Jos Buttler managed a fairly decent knock of 60, but in truth the hosts never recovered from losing big beasts Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root to ducks in the second over.

England:  259 all out

India:  261/5