Michael Henderson, writing in The Daily Telegraph, has slammed spectators at Old Trafford for their behaviour during the recent Test.

“Good as it was to see the ground full last weekend, too many people had come to admire themselves. This is not a problem exclusive to Old Trafford. The narcissism encouraged by television, which likes to identify 'colourful characters', and people 'having fun', is evident everywhere. It just seems more apparent in Manchester, where the heavy-handed stewarding continues to offend regular patrons.

“What can be done about the increasingly unpleasant atmosphere inside Test grounds? Not much, I'm afraid. Where once spectators were sober observers (in both senses of the word), immersed in the game's history, we now have thousands of people for whom a Test match offers a splendid opportunity to get riotously drunk, and possibly the chance to disrobe and charge on to the field of play.”

Henderson, who has a track record of taking swipes at Old Trafford, writes that when Shiv Chanderpaul completed his half century “thousands of revellers ignored his achievement, preferring to hurl their beer trays higher and higher. The only ground where these high jinks do not take place is Lord's, where MCC members are often mocked for being snobs. Anybody who was at Manchester last week would say that snobbery has much to commend it.”

April 23, 2007

England trio available for Lancashire

Posted on 04/23/2007 in Lancashire

Lancashire have been boosted by the news that Andrew Flintoff, James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood will be available for the Championship match against Hampshire, at The Rose Bowl, starting on May 9.

For Flintoff it will be his one first-class outing ahead of the first Test against West Indies and for Anderson and Mahmood a chance to stake a claim for one of the pace bowling slots.

Flintoff and Mahmood are also available for the Friends Provident match against Northamptonshire on May 6 while Anderson can play against Durham the following day.

Lancashire are also hoping that Brad Hodge and Muttiah Muralitharan will be available for the Hampshire match following their involvement in the World Cup.

April 17, 2007

Old Trafford celebrations continue

Posted on 04/17/2007 in Lancashire

To celebrate Old Trafford’s 150th birthday, Lancashire will host a sporting dinner on May 9 where former England and Lancashire batsman – and current sports agent – Neil Fairbrother will be answering questions. Call 0161 2824053 for more information.

December 20, 2006

Photographer publishes behind the scenes look at Lancashire

Posted on 12/20/2006 in Lancashire

Phil Garlington, the award winning photographer, has produced a photographic record of Lancashire’s 2006 season.

Garlington was allowed behind the scenes access at the county, and the book includes exclusive images of pre-season, matchdays at Old Trafford, Liverpool and Blackpool as well as trips to 'Roses' rivals Yorkshire at Headingley and the C&G Cup Final at Lord's.

Lancashire captain Mark Chilton said: “Phil became part of the set-up, earning trust and confidence, and as a result he has taken some great pictures, which provide an intriguing insight into life with Lancashire, especially from a player's point of view.”

Garlington is a cricket enthusiast based in Preston, and recently completed a similar book for Bolton Wanderers football club. The book is called 'Access All Areas' and can be purchased at the Lancashire County Cricket Club superstore for £24.99.

Photographer publishes behind the scenes look at Lancashire

Posted on 12/20/2006 in Lancashire

Phil Garlington, the award winning photographer, has produced a photographic record of Lancashire’s 2006 season.

Garlington was allowed behind the scenes access at the county, and the book includes exclusive images of pre-season, matchdays at Old Trafford, Liverpool and Blackpool as well as trips to 'Roses' rivals Yorkshire at Headingley and the C&G Cup Final at Lord's.

Lancashire captain Mark Chilton said: “Phil became part of the set-up, earning trust and confidence, and as a result he has taken some great pictures, which provide an intriguing insight into life with Lancashire, especially from a player's point of view.”

Garlington is a cricket enthusiast based in Preston, and recently completed a similar book for Bolton Wanderers football club. The book is called 'Access All Areas' and can be purchased at the Lancashire County Cricket Club superstore for £24.99.

October 17, 2006

Red Rose suffers in the rain

Posted on 10/17/2006 in Lancashire

When the sinking sun stopped play on the penultimate day of Lancashire’s home campaign, it also set on any realistic hopes of a first outright Championship since 1934. How ironic that sunshine spoiled things. In five home games Lancashire had already lost the equivalent of 10 days’ play to rain. Away from home they won four from eight. Would they have collected enough extra points from those rainy home matches to overhaul Sussex? The chance would have been a fine thing. So, like many of their predecessors, they were Championship nearly men. In the C&G Trophy they were also runners-up to Sussex. There were redeeming features: Mr Consistency Mal Loye; a bornagain Dominic Cork; the runs of Brad Hodge before his departure (his replacement Nathan Astle never quite got going); and the emerging youngsters. Despite few starts Kyle Hogg and Oliver Newby improved while Tom Smith started the season as an unknown and ended it making plans for a winter with the ECB Academy in Perth. With luck it will not be raining there.

Andrew Collomosse The Wisden Cricketer

September 25, 2006

Why must it always rain on Lancashire

Posted on 09/25/2006 in Lancashire

	Lancashire's season ended in farce at The Rose Bowl © Getty Images

Over the last few weeks it seemed as if Lancashire’s 72-year wait for a Championship title might be nearing an end, but once gain they just failed to do enough and the crown instead headed down to Hove.

In The Guardian, Colin Shindler, who watches more Lancashire games than most, looked back at the season and its unsatisfactory end.

It was somehow appropriate that Lancashire's season expired at the Rose Bowl in circumstances of pure farce. It was symbolic of a season that promised so much and delivered, again, so little. On Friday we had stared mournfully as the rainwater collected in gloomy puddles on the covers. On Saturday we had the unedifying spectacle of Hampshire bowling virtually unplayable "moon" balls at Lancashire batsmen who were too embarrassed to acknowledge the conventional landmarks of their innings.

But whereas many spluttered and moaned that Lancashire’s failure this time was down to the weather – and they were hit by more than their fair share of rain-blighted games – Shindler is unconvinced.

It also rains quite frequently on the other side of the Pennines but everyone knows that Yorkshire's failure to win the championship more than once since 1968 is because they have had some poor teams and a divided club. It is about time the inept Lancashire committee stood up and admitted as much. Instead they can only splutter that the ECB has taken away their Test match.

September 5, 2006

Kartik to play remainder of season

Posted on 09/05/2006 in Lancashire

Kartik Murali is to stay with Lancashire until the end of the season as their overseas replacement for Brad Hodge.

The Indian left-arm spinner has already appeared in the C&G Trophy final and last week’s Championship game against Warwickshire at Blackpool. Kartik, in his second spell with Lancashire having taken 16 Championship wickets in the last two games of 2005, has taken over the club’s first overseas slot which Hodge filled until late June. The Australian was Top End series and a training camp.

“We needed to sort out certain documentation so that Kartik could stay with us and this has been completed," said Jim Cumbes, the Lancashire chief executive.

Kartik, named in a squad of 12, could play his first Pro40 game against Essex at Chelmsford tomorrow.

September 3, 2006

Marron glassy

Posted on 09/03/2006 in Lancashire

Groundsman Peter Marron enjoys the rare distinction of rendering Lancashire’s historian Malcolm Lorimer speechless … twice. “The first was when he asked if I would marry him,” says Lorimer, “though I should add that I am a Methodist minister. The second was when he invited me to be chair of his testimonial committee. I felt honoured on both occasions.”

Marron, who arrived at Old Trafford in 1973 as assistant to Bert Flack and took over 10 years later, is halfway through his testimonial year. “He’s produced fantastic wickets over the last 20 years,” says former skipper Neil Fairbrother. “Great when I was a batsman but sometimes not quite what I required as captain.”

Marron is renowned for his capacity, in the words of Sky pundit David Lloyd, to “call a spade a shovel” but above all for the quality of his pitches. Lloyd was at Old Trafford for Lancashire’s Twenty20 match against Notts in June, the first game of Andrew Flintoff’s abortive comeback, and spotted immediately the potential in Marron’s square.

“Typical Old Trafford wicket,” he enthused. “Pace, bounce, carry. I bet Steve Harmison can’t wait to get here for the Test against Pakistan.” Prophetic words.

The Wisden Cricketer, Andrew Collomosse

August 24, 2006

Anderson comeback

Posted on 08/24/2006 in Lancashire

James Anderson will return to Lancashire colours at Old Trafford, when he lines up against an England XI for Andrew Flintoff's benefit match, on Thursday evening. It will be Anderson's first bowl in match conditions since the end of England's tour of India where he sustained a stress fracture of his back.

Anderson will not be expected to come out all guns blazing, the outing will be viewed as an opportunity to help Anderson return to full fitness by the end of the current season.

"He will bowl a few overs, but he won’t be flat out and he will be very much under control to build that bowling workload up," explained Mike Watkinson, the Lancashire cricket manager. "He is at about 70 or 80 percent intensity at the moment and we will bowl him with a view to getting him up to 90 or 100 percent intensity towards the end of the season."

The match is expected to attract more than 10,000 spectators with a host of both England and Lancashire starts on show. Captained by Andrew Strauss the England team will include the likes of Steve Harmison, Ian Bell and Matthew Hoggard. Warren Hegg, the former Lancashire wicketkeeper who played two Tests, is also in the team.

August 19, 2006

Cork a Warwickshire target

Posted on 08/19/2006 in Lancashire

Dominic Cork could be joining his third county during the winter if news filtering out of Old Trafford is anything to go by. A move to Warwickshire is being discussed, and the idea has been floating around for a few months, but Cricinfo sources at both clubs were unsure about how likely it would be. Cork has been impressive since joining Lancashire from Derbyshire and will be appearing in the C&G Final, against Sussex, on Saturday.

August 12, 2006

Lancashire hopeful over Cork

Posted on 08/12/2006 in Lancashire

Dominic Cork, who missed Lancashire's Roses clash against Yorkshire, is on course to be fit for their next Championship match, against Middlesex at Old Trafford on August 17. Cork injured his finger while taking a catch at slip against Sussex. He is unlikely to be risked in either of Lancashire's next two Pro40 matches, against Durham on Sunday and Middlesex on Wednesday.

August 4, 2006

Schofield still looking for a way back

Posted on 08/04/2006 in Surrey

Chris Schofield, the former England and Lancashire legspinner, is playing for Surrey in their 2nd XI match against Durham at Guildford. He was released by Lancashire at the end of 2004 and since then has been playing for Suffolk in the Minor Counties Championship, as well as turning out for Durham and Surrey second teams.

"It's a bit of a reality check and frustrating because I've played at a very high level but I'm just relieved that counties are still giving me the opportunity to get a contract," Schofield, who is now 27, told the BBC. "The last two years I've been bowling a hell of a lot of overs, 30 to 40 a week - the last two years at Lancashire I bowled 50 to 100 overs a season.

"The first step at the moment is to try to get a county contract, bowl the way I have been doing the last couple of months and take it from there."

August 1, 2006

Law handed Lancashire testimonial

Posted on 08/01/2006 in Lancashire

Stuart Law has been granted a testimonial by Lancashire for 2007. The 37-year-old joined Lancashire in 2002 after a prolific six years spell with Essex and, while at Old Trafford, has underlined his reputation as one of the most consistent batsmen in county cricket.

He has scored over 5300 runs for Lancashire in 68 first-class matches with 18 centuries and is the club’s vice-captain. Lancashire’s Chairman Jack Simmons said: “I introduced Stuart to English cricket when he came over as Littleborough’s professional at the age of 19 and I have always admired the way he plays the game.

“He was superb for Queensland and Essex and when he became available we moved very quickly to bring him to Lancashire. And he has proved great value. His statistics show what he has achieved on the field, but he has also played a big part in the tremendous dressing-room spirit we have at the Club.”

Law said: “I am delighted to get a testimonial, and I am proud that it is Lancashire who have granted it. I enjoy life in this part of the world, and I love playing for the Club. It is where I want to finish my playing career.”

Born in Brisbane, Stuart played for Queensland from 1988 to 2004 and captained them to a series of successes. He joined Essex in 1996 and is in his 11tth season in county cricket.

July 30, 2006

Players thrive on steep earning curve

Posted on 07/30/2006 in Derbyshire

Steve James, the former Glamorgan and England opener, has revealed that the average salary for a county player is around £40,000. Surrey top the pay league, with their players earning an average salary of £60,000, and that excludes the bumper earnings of their overseas recruits. Yorkshire are at the bottom of the pay league, with an average salary of £30,000.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, James's article has gone a long way to dispelling the belief that county cricketers are sports paupers. While they still might to be able to hold a candle to any footballers in the Premier League, their pay is not as bad as it once was.

Click here for the full story.

July 24, 2006

Loye to have scan

Posted on 07/24/2006 in Lancashire

Mal Loye is to undergo a scan to determine the seriousness of his recent back problems. Loye was forced to sit out a chunk of Lancashire's Twenty20 matches and, although he returned for the Championship match against Kent and Pro40 against Nottinghamshire, things are still not right.

He told the club website: "I will have this scan to determine the extent of the problem which I hope shouldn’t be too bad. I want to try and get to the end of the season with pills and what ever else it takes."

Loye has a history of back problems stretching back to his days at Northamptonshire.

July 21, 2006

Taxi (or rather helicopter) for Flintoff

Posted on 07/21/2006 in Lancashire

It would only happen to Andrew Flintoff, well in the cricket world anyway. After he opened the bowling for Lancashire in the final innings of their Championship match against Kent, he raced off the field at Canterbury into a waiting helicopter to fly to a benefit function at Windsor Castle. He was presenting the prizes at a Twenty20 charity match between a Prince Andrew XI and Andrew Flintoff XI. Only in Flintoff's world.

July 6, 2006

Old Trafford history

Posted on 07/06/2006 in Lancashire

Lancashire's Twenty20 Roses clash at Old Trafford tomorrow is a history-making sell-out.

For the first time in the club’s history, all available tickets have been sold in advance for a domestic game – with 15,500 fans snapping up seats for the crucial visit of Yorkshire.

The chief executive, Jim Cumbes, told the club's website: “I never cease to be astonished by the way Twenty20 cricket has captured the imagination of the North-West public.”

Andrew Crook leaves Lancashire

Posted on 07/06/2006 in Lancashire

	Andrew Crook: on his way out of Old Trafford © Getty Images

Andrew Crook, the 25-year-old Lancashire allrounder, is leaving the club after failing to earn a regular place in the side this season.

Mike Watkinson, the club manager, said: “Following a recent appraisal with Andrew, it has been agreed that he will not be offered a contract for 2007. Andrew has therefore asked me to inform other counties of his availability with regard to loan cricket or trials for the remainder of the 2006 season.”

His brother, Steven, left Lancashire part-way through the 2005 season to join Northamptonshire after failing to gain a spot in a strong Lancashire team. Andrew holds the Lancashire one-day batting record of 162 not out in the C&G Trophy, against Buckinghamshire, last season.

June 30, 2006

Mahmood learns from spell in wilderness

Posted on 06/30/2006 in Lancashire

Sajid Mahmood was advised to change counties last year after Dominic Cork was picked ahead of him for Lancashire. But Mahmood ignored Rod Marsh's suggestion and he's relieved that he did. Find out why here.

June 28, 2006

Super Freddie goes ballistic ... no doubt

Posted on 06/28/2006 in Lancashire

England will play Lancashire in a Twenty20 floodlit game for Andrew Flintoff’s benefit year on August 24, the so-called Asda Challenge Match. The game will raise funds for Leukaemia Research, the Kirsty Appeal, the CHASE Ben Hollioake fund, the Lord’s Taverners and Freddie’s coffers. Trescothick and Harmison are expected to turn out for England while Flintoff will play for both teams, although he may stop short at bowling to himself. Mind you, is there anything he can’t do?

June 21, 2006

Twenty20 sell out at Old Trafford

Posted on 06/21/2006 in Lancashire

Lancashire have announced a record sell-out for their Twenty20 Roses match on Friday, July 7.

There will be a capacity 15,500 crowd for the visit of Yorkshire, beating Lancashire’s previous highest Twenty20 attendance of 14,800 – also against Yorkshire three years ago.

Astle arrives in Manchester

Posted on 06/21/2006 in Lancashire

Nathan Astle has arrived in Manchester ahead of his stint with Lancashire. He is replacement for Brad Hodge, who leaves after the current match against Middlesex to play in the Top End series in Australia.

Astle will join up with his new team-mates when they travel to Edgbaston for their C&G match against Warwickshire. If Lancashire win they secure a place in the final, at Lord's, against Sussex.

June 16, 2006

Old Trafford announce development plans

Posted on 06/16/2006 in Lancashire

Offices, shops and flats could be built around Old Trafford as part of Lancashire’s plans for redevelopment. Plans include extending the ground to hold 20,000 spectators, as well as building a hotel and other sports facilities.

Their chief executive Jim Cumbes said: "we have been working on
what the composition of the total scheme will be. At the heart of it
will be the new stadium with its core facilities but there also needs to be secured the supporting development on adjacent land which will
provide the means to fund this major international sporting initiative."

June 11, 2006

Chopper flight for Chapple

Posted on 06/11/2006 in Lancashire

Lancashire were boosted by the news that Glen Chapple could play in their crucial C&G Trophy clash against Derbyshire despite being named in the England squad. As he doesn't have a central contract or isn't part of the Development Squad, Lancashire have been allowed to play Chapple on the understanding they will fly him south by helicopter after the game. The England squad are meeting up for a pre-series meeting in Southampton before flying to Belfast to face Ireland on Tuesday.

May 1, 2006

Keedy dislocates finger

Posted on 05/01/2006 in Lancashire

Gary Keedy, Lancashire's left-arm spinner, dislocated a finger towards the end of the C&G match against Worcestershire. He tried to stop a powerful straight drive during the final-wicket stand between Zaheer Khan and Ray Price and immediately left the field for treatment.

However Mark Chilton, Lancashire's captain, is hopeful that he will be fit for the next Championship match, starting on Wednesday, against Kent at Old Trafford.

April 22, 2006

Watkinson welcomes back Freddie

Posted on 04/22/2006 in Lancashire

The Lancashire coach Mike Watkinson is thrilled that Andrew Flintoff has been allowed a game for his county. Flintoff has been cleared, by Duncan Fletcher, to play a C&G Trophy match against Northamptonshire on May 7

"I'm surprised we have got a game out of Freddie before the Test series, let's hope we can have a few nets with him and get his mind focused on our game rather than the Test match. It will be great to have Freddie in our side. He is a great player and gives the side balance and is a top man to have around the dressing room.

April 13, 2006

Cork extends contract

Posted on 04/13/2006 in Lancashire

Dominic Cork has extended his contract with Lancashire and is now set to stay at Old Trafford until the end of the 2007 season. Cork, 34, who joined Lancashire from Derbyshire two years ago, had another year to go on his contract but after talks between county officials and Cork's representatives he has signed on for a further season.

It means that Cork is set to end his career with Lancashire as they seek to make a strong impression on the County Championship first division following their promotion last season. "We are delighted that Dominic wants to stay," said the Lancashire coach Mike Watkinson. "He's one of a group of players who give us the experience that every club needs, but there is real excitement here about the potential of the younger members of the squad."

April 12, 2006

John Sullivan dies aged 61

Posted on 04/12/2006 in Lancashire

John Sullivan, who was a member of the Lancashire side which won the Gillette Cup three seasons running in 1970, 1971 and 1972, has died at the age of 61.

Born in Stalybridge, Sullivan joined Lancashire in 1963 and played 154 Championship matches before his retirement from county cricket in 1976. But his forte was the one-day game, and as well as the three Gillette titles, he was a key part of the side which won the first two John Player League crowns in 1969 and 1970.