Firstly, please accept my apologies. The above image is a file photo (From my files!) because I neglected to actually take a photo at last night’s encounter.
Lancashire defeated Yorkshire by 9 runs with paceman Saqib Mahmood looking particularly impressive. Even when he went for boundaries he kept his head up and responded well. Mahmood was outstanding in the One-Day Cup earlier this year and will surely come into white-ball consideration for England though competition for places is extreme to say the least.
David Willey’s fielding stood out amongst a shoddy effort from Yorkshire, that international experience making the difference. Gary Ballance batted at six but there seems little logic in him being in the side. He used up seven deliveries for 4 runs before basically willingly being run out.
Debutante spinner Jack Shutt snapped up a couple of wickets but was expensive in his last. West Indian Nicholas Pooran just about kept the home side interested with some huge sixes but even he needed time to get going. Harry Brook looked good for 30 but you still sense that the shorter format won’t be his best. It was also good to see the extremely talented Liam Livingstone back from injury for Lancashire.
The crowd was good natured for what can sometimes be a raucous affair. The thunderstorms stayed away but the less said about the sweaty train journey there the better and as for the woman who preferred her bag to have a seat than any of the people stood up on the return journey, don’t get me started!
Silly Point Cricket 