Lancashire League: Lomas defends timed cricket with blast for skippers (15 Aug 1998)

15 August 1998

Lomas defends timed cricket with blast for skippers

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

East Lancs skipper Mark Lomas has urged fellow captains to make the new controversial Lancashire League rules work.

Lomas was one of a number of influential players involved in drawing up the rule changes.

And he has been at the heart of recent preliminary meetings designed to iron out some of the problems before next season.

This year's version of timed cricket has met with almost universal disapproval from players and spectators.

But Lomas believes club captains must shoulder much of the blame.

And he insisted that the miserable weather had also played a major part.

Lomas, who lifted the Jennings Worsley Cup on Sunday, does not expect a return to straight limited overs format for next season.

And he added: "I think people have been a touch harsh.

"From what I have seen the cricket has probably improved.

"There is one big problem and that is the captains do not know how to do it. They haven't got the capability to work the game out. Sides are batting 55 overs and wondering why the game's a draw.

"And teams cannot bat second and shut up shop when three wickets are down.

"It is not the way the cricket is structured that's the problem.

"We have probably had only two boring games all year and we have had more draws than anybody.

"We have had more boring games in the cup this year.

"The final against Colne proved that limited overs cricket is exciting but you don't want every game to be the same.

"That is why there are two competitions." East Lancs are at home to Haslingden tomorrow in a dress rehearsal for the Lees Inter-League Cup final at the end of this month.

They will again have Paul Ridgeway as substitute professional.

East Lancs desperately need to win if they are to have a chance of keeping leaders Nelson in sight.

Enfield professional Otis Gibson is still suffering from back problems and Mike Watkinson will deputise for the Dill Hall Lane side at home to Lowerhouse.

Sub pro for Accrington this weekend will be New Zealander Matthew Hart. They visit Burnley.

Bacup have retained Brad White as their professional for next season.

The South African has scored 700 league runs and taken 40 wickets in making a big impression at Lanehead.

Club chairman Colin Shaw confirmed: "He has had a good season, especially when you consider the weather, and he has enjoyed being at the club. We are pleased to have him back."

Tomorrow's programme was put back 24 hours from today following the completion of the Jennings Worsley Cup final last Sunday.

Fixtures: Burnley v Accrington; Church v Bacup; Colne v Rishton; East Lancs v Haslingden; Enfield v Lowerhouse; Ramsbottom v Todmorden; Rawtenstall v Nelson.

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)