Obituaries: Les McFarlane and Edward Greenhalgh
Les McFarlane
McFarlane, aged 66, was born in Jamaica and earned a reputation as a formidable fast bowler in the Northampton Town League during the 1970s, forming a much-feared pace partnership with his brother Carl. He played for Northants in 1979 and then had a superb season for Bedfordshire in 1981, claiming 62 wickets at 16.62 which persuaded Lancashire to sign him.
Les made 35 first-class and 18 one-day appearances for the club between 1982 and 1984, taking 73 first-class wickets and 20 in one-day games. Undoubtedly his finest moment in a Red Rose shirt was the famous match at Southport in 1982 where Warwickshire, having posted 523 for 4 declared in their first innings, were skittled for 111 in their second following an inspired 6-59 by Les who was virtually unplayable on the final day and could easily have had all ten. The stunned visitors lost by ten wickets.
He left Lancashire in 1985 to play for Glamorgan for whom he picked up 16 wickets in 13 matches with his final first-class appearance for the Welsh county against Northamptonshire dismissing Robin Boyd-Moss for his 102nd and last victim.
Les continued to be a force at Minor Counties level, playing for Bedfordshire in 1986 and later Staffordshire in 1989-90.
Edward Greenhalgh
Also we mourn the loss of former Second Team player Edward Greenhalgh. He played for Lancashire second XI between 1956 and 1961. A left handed batsman and wicket Keeper he came from Warrington where he played cricket and also for the Free Foresters and Cheshire Gentlemen. He was a regular attender of the Former Players functions at Old Trafford.