MATCH REPORT: Rain ruins first day against Essex at Blackpool
The first day of Lancashire’s match with second-placed Essex in the LV= Insurance County Championship match at Blackpool was badly affected by the weather with just 28 balls possible in which time Essex made 12 for one.
Both teams came into the fixture with enforced changes, Essex opener Feroze Khushi having sustained a sore hand last week in the Vitality Blast while Lancashire rested Daryl Mitchell to help the overseas all-rounder manage a groin issue.
The day was split into two short tranches of play that book-ended this unusual day.
After a misleadingly sunny morning, Essex won the toss and elected to bat under increasingly gloomy skies, a mood probably shared by Nick Browne after he edged the fourth delivery of the day from Tom Bailey to Colin de Grandhomme at fourth slip without a run on the board.
In the 25 balls bowled in the morning there was time for Alastair Cook to punch a four off the back foot from Will Williams and Essex skipper Tom Westley to glance Bailey to fine leg for four off the first ball of the fifth over.
At that point the rain arrived to take the players from the field for more than six hours, and it was a testament to the Blackpool club that their outfield, re-laid three years ago, coped admirably with the deluge that fell during the day.
That allowed umpires Peter Hartley and Steve O’Shaughnessy to restart play at 5.30pm following several inspections, but only three balls had been bowled in Bailey’s interrupted over before bad light halted play once again with more rain then ending a very frustrating day.
“It’s been a long day!” admitted Keaton Jennings.
“You hang around for six hours or so and then go and play three more balls.
“It is what it is. We come back tomorrow and look for opportunities to win the game. Turn up tomorrow, try and get ten wickets first and then bat. There’s still a lot of cricket to be played and both sides are keen to try and get a result.”
It was heartbreaking after the hard work of the groundstaff to see more dark clouds arrive just as play was about to restart.
“Those guys have grafted,” said Jennings. “And they will be grafting for a few more hours after the close buttoning everything down. I take my hat off to them. They don’t get the thanks they deserve.
“They prepared everything beautifully, and the ground is looking fantastic as well.
“It was fairly dark when we returned, but while we were out there we had an opportunity to get a pole. But it was a frustrating day.
“Tom and Will bowled beautifully. At times it’s what you end up expecting from the senior guys. They go about it diligently and positively. So a beautiful day for them, I just wish it had been longer!
“The last month has been a really positive one. We’ve played some really good cricket. Results didn’t quite go our way in the early weeks , but hopefully we can continue to play well and with a smile on our face.”
Jennings is also enjoying being back out in the middle.
“It’s awesome to be back playing,” he admitted.
“Sam Byrne (Lancashire physio) is a fantastic man. I’ve spent some good time with him over the last nine weeks. He’s made it a lot easier.
“But it’s miles better playing, it’s what you enjoy doing. You have a limited career in terms of time and you don’t want to be sat in the medical room.”
Ken Grime
Photos: George Franks, Luke Adams
