Is Lancashire In England?

Yorkshire 158 all out 

v Lancashire 509 for 9 declared 

Yorkshire 85 for 2 

County Championship 

Close on Day Three 

Saturday 29 May 2021 

Played at Old Trafford 

I'd expected Maths. But not Geography. A classic cricket scene unfolding on the socially distanced row in front of us. Young Lad. Dad. And Grandpa. A few inquisitive questions from the Young 'Un. Grandpa in particular using cricket to help the Lad learn things & understand the world. Like generations before him. Like me.

"How many runs does Bohannon need to get to a Hundred?"

(Alright you old get, no need to take the piss)

"Add up how many Overs since Yorkshire have taken a Wicket"

(I swear he's doing this on fucking purpose)

Now, I've got two Degrees in Applied Statistics, but maybe the Lad won't become as mathematically minded. He seemed to bore quickly & wanted to shift the subject.

"Grandpa. Is Lancashire in England?"

Boooooom. Good Lad. Let's get at it.

Covid Regs mean we can't sit, linger, let alone mooch aimlessly in the Old Trafford Pavilion. There's a One Way System. Break left for Coffee & Carbs. Break right for Alcohol Delivery Systems. But, it's certainly a good break. Three on Cask.

Robinsons, Dizzy Blonde at 3.8%

Joseph Holt, Two Hoots at 4.2%

JW Lees, MPA (Manchester Pale Ale) at 3.7%

We've yet to visit Beer Desert Headingley this season. But, it would come as no surprise to find the Azeem Rafiq Enquiry Dragging On Yorkies have No Cask On & have been hammered 3-0 by the Lankies in those stakes.

I sometimes think a "pitch mentality" creeps into cricketers. Lancashire find that Yorkshire aren't really getting at them with the ball. Barely any ooohhhs, let alone actual appeals to the Umpire. So, they convince themselves there's nowt in the pitch. Flat. So, they worry ahead about what it'll be like when they bowl. So everything becomes over cautious. But, I suppose when you've had 'em at 21 for 6 in the first dig, the one thing you have got is time.

The Carrier Bag Firm concluded Vilas would probably wave 'em in once Bohannon got his century and Danny Lamb got his fifty. But, as always. Wrong. And Lancashire wrung it out a bit more.

And. Then. Here's the game. Right now. In front of us. Yorkshire an implausible 350 behind. To make Lancashire bat again. One Hundred and Forty Three overs to survive for the Draw. I'd stick to Geography on those numbers, Mate.

But. What have you got? Can the openers take us through the New Ball. Can they even get to Tea? How many down at the Close would be applaudable?

Well. Lyth & Kohler-Cadmore were doing OK. The CBF were counting down. Twenty more overs. Inside the last ten now. You can see two not outs overnight. Come back tomorrow. Oh dear. Lyth played an aggressive shot behind square off Parkinson. Which was held low down by Wells. At least we know Lyth has been practising his Petulant Walk Off routine in Lockdown. The Sky cameras are here. I counted eight Fucks before he got to the boundary. Punching his bat. Banging his hat. Seen it all before.

Kohler-Cadmore went sixish overs later. The cry went up. "Oh Lanky, Lanky". FFS.

In the context, two gone in 47, on Day 3 was a decent effort. But, do the Maths, not the Geography.

The beer destination was The Hillary Step in Whalley Range. Long & thin place, with tables on the forecourt. We were met at the door as is the increasing norm. The only available tables, and there were many of them, were inside. Of course Mate, that's what we've come for.

A Grumble. Hottest day for a bit. Sun's out. We found the Cask beer a bit on the warm side. Cellar needs some love & care.

Still, a great welcome. Quick & efficient service. Dark & cool(er) inside. Great beer range. Five on Cask. Seven Pukka Keg. I criticised the Keg list at first for being a bit Big Boy Brewery safe. But, when I had a better look, it was actually decent.

Anyway, I went;

SQUAWK Brewing, Crex on Cask at a handy 4.5%. A nice cask IPA. Floral hops up top. Slightly hazy. Pleasant easy drinking, even for that abv. A bit of drying grass. And some bitterness in the end game to hold it all together.

Stats

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