Key events
The newly-called up Pennington with the second over, fast and accurate. Glad to see that his trouser hems still rest fractionally above his ankles, though not quite as short as they were when I first saw him play for Worcestershire back in the 20tweenies. Notts’ opening attack is quite something – Lancs will do very well to see it off.
Olly Stone with the new ball from the Grovenor Road End. Less likely to blow over in the more-than-nippy cross-wind than he used to be.
Stat-attack: (thank you Paul Edwards) Nathan Lyon needs one wicket to have 800 first-class wickets in what will be his last appearance for Lancashire in 2024.
Did a lap of the Trafalgar Road. Hundreds and hundreds of grey tip up seats, lots of eager punters in anoraks, a dad pointing out Jimmy Anderson to his young son. Very grey clouds. Nicely apt that, although the punters might be disappointed not to see Anderson bowling, they will get to see his heir apparent – Dillon Pennington.
Lancashire have lost the toss and will … bat!
Southport is overcast – windy, chilly but dry. I’m already bitterly regretting my decision not to bring a coat. Notts won the toss and HH immediately spoils the party by choosing to bowl. A quiet boo rings out when it is announced.
Rob Key gets out his black pen – Bairstow, Foakes, Leach out; Pennington, Smith in
Jamie Smith and Dillon Pennington called up for the Test team
A Sunday morning Test announcement, I feel suddenly transported back to 1985. Two new caps, Surrey wunderkind wicket-keeper Jamie Smith – which marks, you’d have thought, the end of Jonny Bairstow’s 100-Test career, and gently closes the door on Ben Foakes. Ollie Robinson, the Durham one, can feel unlucky. Pennington beats Sam Cook to the first ‘replacement-for-Jimmy’ spot, Gus Atkinson, Chris Woakes and Matthew Potts make up the rest of the pace attack. Shoaib Bashir takes the spin spot. Ollie Robinson, the Sussex one, is left to ponder what might have been.
England Men’s Test Squad:
Ben Stokes (Durham) Captain
James Anderson (Lancashire) (First Test only)
Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Dan Lawrence (Surrey)
Dillon Pennington (Nottinghamshire)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Matthew Potts (Durham)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Jamie Smith (Surrey)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Fixtures
DIVISION ONE
The Oval: Surrey v Essex
Taunton: Somerset v Warwickshire
Trafalgar Road: Lancashire v Nottinghamshire
Southampton: Hampshire v Kent
Chester le Street: Durham v Worcestershire
DIVISION TWO
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Middlesex
Cheltenham: Gloucestershire v Glamorgan
County Ground: Northamptonshire v Sussex
Chesterfield: Derbyshire v Yorkshire
Preamble
Hello from a train chugging damply towards Liverpool. The sky is heavy with grey clouds, of the type that Jimmy Anderson might order – which is handy as today he makes his first Championship appearance of the season, at Southport. After that comes his swansong at Lord’s and then – who knows? So, in short, this could be the last chance for anyone not going to the Test to see him bowl in the flesh.
Of course he could roll in, slim as a pin, for Lancashire for another three years, but the organisers at Southport and Birkdale CC won’t mind – they’ve already sold all 2,300 tickets for today – so don’t travel if you haven’t got a ticket as you won’t get in!
Festival cricket also at Cheltenham and Chesterfield, the top of the table clash at The Oval and much much more you lucky people.