LIVE BLOG: Lancashire v Surrey, Day One
12.30pm
Play has been abandoned for the day.
There has been no improvement in conditions since the earlier inspection, and more rain has fallen in the last 15 minutes, so unfortunately this opening day has been ended early.
11.45pm
There has been no rain since early this morning (although I have my fingers crossed when writing this) and the umpires will now inspect conditions again at 12.30pm.
10.30am
A brief update from our 9am posting, there has been no rain since early this morning and the overhead conditions remain dry, bright and windy.
There is no play before lunch and the umpires will inspect during the interval.
In the meantime can I direct your attention to the new Lancashire Cricket Year Book, out today.
The 87th edition of the Yearbook runs to 208 pages and is packed with photographs, match reports, scorecards and stats from the memorable internationals played at Emirates Old Trafford last year and of Lancashire’s 2023 campaign.
Among the features are profiles of the latest inductees into the Hall of Fame, Lancashire’s first County Championship match in 1890 is revisited, and the story of caps awarded between the wars unearths some surprising choices. There is also our regular look back at milestone years in the club’s history, including how a baseball team played games of cricket and baseball at Old Trafford 150 years ago.
The Thunder’s run to T20 Finals Day and the T20 success of Lancashire Women are covered in a 28-page section that includes match scorecards and stats, plus a tribute to Alex Hartley following her retirement. There are also full details of the 2024 Thunder squad.
The Year Book costs £15.00 and is available from the Lancashire Shop.
9.00am
Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the 2024 season, starting with a match against defending Vitality County Champions, Surrey.
Prospects
Currently we have light cloud overhead with a decent drying wind, and that will be needed following heavy overnight rain that has left Emirates Old Trafford with wet conditions this morning.
As a result there will be no play before lunch.
The groundstaff have been at the ground very early and continue to mop up the outfield.
Squad News
Lancashire
Four players are in contention to make their first-class debuts for the Red Rose with new Head Coach Dale Benkenstein having named a 13-man squad.
Overseas signings Tom Bruce and Nathan Lyon have both been included in the matchday squad for the first time, after arriving at Emirates Old Trafford earlier this week, whilst Tom Aspinwall and Josh Boyden are also in contention and could make their first-class debuts.
In fitness news, seamer Saqib Mahmood is continuing to build up his bowling workloads as he recovers from a lumbar stress fracture with new recruit Mitchell Stanley rehabilitating a knee injury sustained during the winter.
Jack Blatherwick - who picked up a hamstring injury on the Club's recent pre-season tour - is currently featuring in a friendly for the Second XI against Hampshire as he nears a return to full fitness.
Lancashire will also be without Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt and Luke Wood who are all currently playing in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Lancashire Cricket squad:
Keaton Jennings (c), Tom Aspinwall, Tom Bailey, George Balderson, George Bell, Josh Bohannon, Josh Boyden, Tom Bruce, Tom Hartley, Matthew Hurst, Nathan Lyon, Luke Wells, Will Williams.
Surrey
Surrey have named a 13-player squad for this opening Vitality County Championship match.
Overseas player Kemar Roach is back in the country and goes into the squad. Dan Worrall is unavailable due to a neck issue, and Conor McKerr is missing through a groin injury. As an ECB contracted player, Gus Atkinson is unavailable due to workload management.
Surrey squad:
Rory Burns (capt), Dom Sibley, Dan Lawrence, Ryan Patel, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes (wkt), Jamie Smith, Cam Steel, Jordan Clark, Tom Lawes, Kemar Roach, Jamie Overton, Matt Dunn.
Recent history
Lancashire won our last Championship encounter with Surrey by 123 runs at the Kia Oval in June 2023 and the Red Rose have quite a good recent history in home Championship matches against today’s visitors.
Our innings and 130-run victory in 2022 was Surrey’s only Championship defeat that season, and we are undefeated at home since 2004 having won four of the eight matches played over the last 20 years.
