Cricket.

[Bernard Dawson]

Having seen more tha a few (ahem) 50 overs LL cricket matches in my time I am well used to the tried and tested format, and to my knowledge very,very few matches go up to or past the 8pm mark. I agree that the 40/40 game is more crowd friendly, but the sad fact remains that cricket at an amateur level and in the Lancashire League is just not "sexy" or dynamic enough ! Getting anything changed with regards to rules and regs is like bashing your head against a wall as the league exec are pretty much all octagenarians or older and all averse to any kind of change or progress. I would like to see the 40/40 format with powerplays and coloured kits and all the excitement that comes with it, even bowling restrictions!
As far as Accy are concerned, the Dibber has his next op very shortly and will be back to make batsmens lives a misery this season, although given that our new captain is committed to only bowling each bowler for 10 overs a piece it could be an interesting season ( or a very long one depending on how that plan works...)
A bigger concern to me is the fact that clubs are jumping on the "paid coach" approach and in effect having an extra pro under the guise of coach, not exactly fair and the league seem powerless ( or uninterested ) in putting a stop to this. ( Though certain clubs have been surreptitiously paying players for years and got away with it)
Well, here's hoping it all pans out, that we get a decent summer, and good luck to our boys against SA tomorrow, they will need if Anderson carries on the way he is and they all field a la Keystone Cops!

I think I agree with you Lindsay. Are we going to win the league again next year. A bit boring not winning owt last year.

 

[lindsay ormerod]

I'd like to think we are in with a shout Bernard, but a lot of our 1st XI aren't getting any younger and although we have some good, upcoming talent, most of them aren't ready for the firsts yet. I can't imagine us getting many more seasons out of GDL and Dave O and Clarkey won't last forever, neither will Matt Wilson, they will be big, big holes to fill. Let's hope they can make this a memorable one and maybe retire on a high?
Shout out for the promising youngsters though, we have bags of talent there coming up, Bryn Hargreaves, Matt Schofield,Sam Tattersall,Jake Clarke, Jonny Hayhurstand the likes of Branks and Donners. It's not all doom and gloom by a long way!

 

[Sparkologist]

Give me 50 overs cricket and I'm happy; more time for libations.

Twenty/20 cricket is great on a Friday evening during the summer at a local level, at £2 a throw. At county level, it is not value for money once the travelling time & fares, not forgetting ever increasing entry costs to Old Trafford, are taken into consideration.

 

[Bernard Dawson]

I'd like to think we are in with a shout Bernard, but a lot of our 1st XI aren't getting any younger and although we have some good, upcoming talent, most of them aren't ready for the firsts yet. I can't imagine us getting many more seasons out of GDL and Dave O and Clarkey won't last forever, neither will Matt Wilson, they will be big, big holes to fill. Let's hope they can make this a memorable one and maybe retire on a high?
Shout out for the promising youngsters though, we have bags of talent there coming up, Bryn Hargreaves, Matt Schofield,Sam Tattersall,Jake Clarke, Jonny Hayhurstand the likes of Branks and Donners. It's not all doom and gloom by a long way!

You're right Lindsay, some good young lads coming through. If the Pro turns out to be half decent, then we might just be in for a good season.

 

[Bernard Dawson]

Give me 50 overs cricket and I'm happy; more time for libations.

Twenty/20 cricket is great on a Friday evening during the summer at a local level, at £2 a throw. At county level, it is not value for money once the travelling time & fares, not forgetting ever increasing entry costs to Old Trafford, are taken into consideration.

That's what puts me off Twenty/20 cricket at Old Trafford. It's a lot of money to fork out for 40 overs of cricket. As you say £2 up Acc on a Friday night, weather permitting of course is about right

 

[lindsay ormerod]

Give me 50 overs cricket and I'm happy; more time for libations.

Twenty/20 cricket is great on a Friday evening during the summer at a local level, at £2 a throw. At county level, it is not value for money once the travelling time & fares, not forgetting ever increasing entry costs to Old Trafford, are taken into consideration.

I prefer 50 overs but it's not putting bums on seats and as our knowledgeable friend from Water Street rolleyes says , we need to attract people back, and we no longer have the draw of a Viv Richards/Roger Harper/Shane Warne , I would welcome any change that pulls the people in, the problem is the League don't do change!

 

[jaysay]

I prefer 50 overs but it's not putting bums on seats and as our knowledgeable friend from Water Street rolleyes says , we need to attract people back, and we no longer have the draw of a Viv Richards/Roger Harper/Shane Warne , I would welcome any change that pulls the people in, the problem is the League don't do change!

I actually don't think you can turn the clock back Lindsay, the top line pros would cost an arm and a leg these days and are more likely to sign short term contracts with country sides. The other side is that this day and age kids aren't encouraged to play games any more, when I was growing up you played football and cricket in the back streets, never seems to happen now, kids are more likely to stay in doors playing computer games. Again when I was a youngster I used to go every week with my parents (ya both of them) to watch Church, which was like most LL grounds full to the brim with like minded people, just don't happen today sadly

 

[134waterst]

rumbled!

 

[134waterst]

the frustration for most clubs is that there are so many youngsters coming to practice nights , and there are no facilities . At Acc it would be fantastic to have permanent nets (all weather) , but , this, of course, costs shackles . Cricket clubs are great for the community and for teaching young people values . Catch em young , make it fun and in time, the league would be much stronger.
I dream on , but if all works out in the future , we could have a facility to be proud of .....

 

[jaysay]

Just a question do they still have the indoor nets at Peel Park School, can remember going up there back in the good old days getting ready for the new season

 

[lindsay ormerod]

the frustration for most clubs is that there are so many youngsters coming to practice nights , and there are no facilities . At Acc it would be fantastic to have permanent nets (all weather) , but , this, of course, costs shackles . Cricket clubs are great for the community and for teaching young people values . Catch em young , make it fun and in time, the league would be much stronger.
I dream on , but if all works out in the future , we could have a facility to be proud of .....

You and me both, fingers and everything else crossed!

Jaysay, ACC use the facilities at Accrington Academy for indoor nets.

 

[Sparkologist]

Talking about collections... there is one chap at Accy CC who always develops a severe incontinence problem & disappears to the bogs when the collection box does the rounds.

Rumour has it that he keeps a mouse trap ready set, in his pocket, to act as a grim reminder should his digits stray towards the cash.

 

[Nickelson]

I prefer 50 overs but it's not putting bums on seats and as our knowledgeable friend from Water Street rolleyes says , we need to attract people back, and we no longer have the draw of a Viv Richards/Roger Harper/Shane Warne , I would welcome any change that pulls the people in, the problem is the League don't do change!

Warne came at roughly 21 years of age. He hadn't made his Australia debut. So you can't really place him with Viv Richards. He is exactly the same as the like of Nash, Hauritz, Rudolph, Simmons (Whom Enfield nearly signed this season). Amatuer wise look at Anderson now playing for England. The likes of Barker at Warickshire.

This season is sure to be exciting doubt be knocking your local rivals your Accrington fans

 

[jaysay]

Talking about collections... there is one chap at Accy CC who always develops a severe incontinence problem & disappears to the bogs when the collection box does the rounds.

Rumour has it that he keeps a mouse trap ready set, in his pocket, to act as a grim reminder should his digits stray towards the cash.

I think it must be the same chap who does exactly the same when its his round at the bar too