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Bowlers to Blame for Multan Debacle

BY DAVID LLOYD

FORMER ENGLAND SUPREMO DAVID LLOYD GIVES HIS POST TEST ANALYSIS

England came back down to Earth with a bump after their Ashes triumph, losing by 22 runs to Pakistan in Multan. Chasing 198 to win was just too much for the batsmen with only Bell and Jones exceeding 30.

There are those who will say that 198 in three and a bit sessions should be a piece of cake, but I tell you it never is - not in Pakistan anyway.

I'm not one to play the blame game, but I lay the blame fairly and squarely with the England bowling attack. If they hadn't successfully bowled Pakistan out twice in this match, England would have drawn it comfortably. Causing the Pakistan line up to collapse late yesterday was the worst thing that could have happened. If we had a less potent seam attack Pakistan, with their instinct for caution, would have batted on into the fifth day, and England would have only had two and a bit sessions to bat out with neither team fired up for a win.

It was because of England's bland bowling attack that we won the series here in 2000. We drew the first two tests, boring our hosts stupid in the process. Then, in Karachi, we accidentally bowled them out so late on there were only two possible results: a draw, or an England win. Of course on that occasion England scraped home just in time.

Quite simply, the problem with having a penetrating bowling attack is that you cause batsmen to get out. This creates a window of opportunity for a result. On this occasion it meant Pakistan had to go for it, all or bust. And they did it, making us look like chumps in the process.

I would like to see Ian Salisbury and Dominic Cork called up for Faisalabad. That way Pakistan will rack up two huge scores and not leave any time for themselves to win. That will give us a chance going to Lahore of escaping with a respectable series defeat.

GAME OFF SUNDAY 11th Sept

CCC V Parkhouse rained off this Sunday 11th Sept.

CCC Win Hospital Match

Two Mallards players ended up in hospital following their defeat by CCC at Heaton yesterday. Tim Hall (a CCC regular playing for the opposition) dislocated a finger attempting to catch a skyer from Rian, and all rounder Tom Hase top-edged a Matt delivery into his spectacles, resulting in copious amounts of blood and a nasty gash under the eye.

CCC won the game by 20 runs. Their total of 158 all out off 35 overs was largely indebted to Matt (36), Steve (24) and a plethora of extras. Meanwhile Gerry rolled back the years with 3-37, which was added to by tight bowling from Dave, Steve, Matt, Derek and Cliff, and a spectacular run out effected by young Guy Finkill, and was enough to see CCC home.

CCC: Steve, Peter, Keith H, Rian, Simon E, Matt, Gerry, Guy, Dave, Derek, Cliff

CCC Safe!

CCC beat Fenham in the dark at Cochrane Park last night to secure Second Division status.

Fenham scored 114-7 off 14 overs, CCC replied with 115-5 of 13.6 overs. It was an excellent all round display, with perhaps the best display of catching of the season (Mudassar 3, Peter 1, Ian 1, Simon 1). Vik, Rian and Matt took the wickets and scored most of the runs, with Mudassar hitting an excellent 21 not out at the end against his old teammates, assisted by excellent running from Alan.

CCC 9 pts, Fenham 3 (Fenham champions)

CCC FACE ULTIMATE DESTINY

by Junior Hack

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more"

Those were the rousing words with which that great Lancastrian King Henry V waged war against the French at Agincourt. Now, years later, CCC face their very own Agincourt, needing just ONE POINT from their final game against Fenham to ensure Second Division survival.

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers"

CCC will have to pull out the stops to beat champions Fenham; they will have to battle hard even to get that single point.

Many have shed blood in the CCC cause this season. Woodman with his leg in plaster. Spencer with his broken hand. Many have soiled their trousers through a season's toil in the field.

"I know not if the day be ours or no"

One thing is certain. Today brave CCC will go to battle with their wooden rapiers glinting in the sun, their balls polished. Come six o'clock that heroic eleven will be seen standing "like greyhounds in the slips straining upon the start".

Yes, thence the game will be afoot. And though police have warned fans not to travel and have refused permission for a giant screen to broadcast the proceedings in the town centre, many will be there in spirit as battle commences:

FOLLOW YOUR SPIRIT, AND UPON THIS CHARGE. CRY GOD FOR HARRY, CCC AND SAINT GEORGE!

And come tomorrow, your super soaraway Sun will be able to quote that other great Lancastrian...

"Eeeeeee. Turned out nice again an't it!"