Sun shines on Yorkshire-Lancashire match in Harrogate

After days of rain, spectators were granted a day of sunshine for the 50-over Roses cricket match in Harrogate today. 

Any game between Yorkshire and Lancashire is likely to be hard-fought, but this one is a warm-up for the forthcoming Metro Bank One-Day Cup 50-over competition.

The priority for both county second teams at Harrogate Cricket Club‘s St George’s Road ground is practice. 

Photo of Karl Krikken, second team coach for Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Lancashire coach Karl Krikken said the outcome of the match didn’t matter.

Lancashire second team coach Karl Krikken told the Stray Ferret: 

“It doesn’t matter about the outcome today – this is just about getting the lads some overs.

“Winning’s always nice, but it’s not the most important thing today.” 

Lancashire will face Essex at Sedbergh when the One-Day Cup starts next week. 

Photo of James Lowe, assistant coach at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

Assistant coach James Lowe was confident of Yorkshire’s mix of youth and experience.

In the home camp, assistant coach James Lowe said: 

“We’ve got some good players – Dom Bess, Harry Duke, Will Luxton and Ben Mike – as well as a couple of young players from the academy, so we’ve got a nice mix of youth and experience. 

“It’d be nice to get a win, especially against Lancashire, but whatever happens, it’s sure to be a good game.” 

Yorkshire will play Cheshire in the 50-over competition on Sunday. 

Photo of the Turnbull family of Harrogate, who were watching the Roses cricket match: (left to right) Kit, Caspar, Elsa and Ava.

Kit Turnbull (left) had brought along his children (l to r): Kit, Caspar, Elsa and Ava.

As the players practised ahead of the 11am start, Harrogate resident Kit Turnbull was settling in on the stands with his children: Caspar, 12; Elsa, 14; and Ava, 16.

He said: 

“I’m here mostly as an accompanying adult for Caspar, who plays cricket at Bilton. For the girls it’s just something different to do on a nice day – and it’s free.

“For Caspar, this acts as kind of a benchmark. You can watch the cricket on TV as much as you want, but it’s different in person. Just to see the speed they bowl the ball at, you get a real appreciation of it when it’s right there in front of you.

“My only concern was the weather, but it’s looking OK. We’ve got our packed lunch with us, so we’ll be here all day.”

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