Lancashire confirm sponsorship for floodlit game (14 July 1997)

14 July

LANCASHIRE CONFIRM SPONSORSHIP FOR FLOODLIT GAME

After the wash out at the Oval, the 1st Êfloodlit cricket match between LANCASHIRE and YORKSHIRE at Old Trafford on Monday 21 July 1997 received a major boost today.

The Manchester Evening News have agreed to Sponsor the match and have confirmed that they will be putting up the £10,000 prize money at stake.

"THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS £10,000 FLOODLIT CRICKET CHALLENGE" will feature 50 overs a side with a split innings of 25 overs at a time (i.e. four innings), coloured clothing, music to introduce each player, entertainment for the youngsters and most of all a competitive game of cricket.

Promoter, Mohan Kripalani, said "in the context of cricket £10,000 is a large sum of money and we are delighted that The Manchester Evening News have put their name towards what is effectively now the first day night cricket match at an authentic cricket ground in England".

The match has been schedule so as to coincide with the first day of the school summer holidays. There will be a bouncy castle for the kids, face painting and of course music to entertain the crowd. Lancashire spokesman Jim Cumbes said "We are aiming to attract a wider audience so as to include children, Êfamilies and corporates".

A 30 second burst of pop music will accompany each batsman as he makes his way to the crease. In addition music will also be played when a batsman hits a four / Êsix and when he is out. Alan Yardley and Gerald Jackson who specialise in providing entertainment services at major sporting events and Matt Proctor, Lancashire's own in house radio presenter, have been hired to preside over the proceedings.

Tickets are available from the Ticket Office at Old Trafford Cricket Ground Ð Telephone number 0161 282 4040