BAD HAIR (DRESSER) DAY FOR 'BUMBLE'

First class victim for Ross Sports regular

Today a highly regarded Sky Sports commentator, David Lloyd enjoyed a fine first class career in that very successful Lancashire team of the 1970s and was good enough to make a double-century in a Test match. More recently he's enjoyed spells as a first class umpire and as coach to the England team.
However, between parting company with his beloved Lancashire and going into umpiring, David's career path took a bit of a blip as he briefly left the first class game to turn out for Cumberland in the Minor Counties competition.
And that's how, in mid-June 1989 he came to be playing against Lincolnshire in a two-day fixture at Bourne.
My match report for the Grimsby and Scunthorpe Telegraphs said: "Burghley Park's Nick Gandon was bowled by David Halliwell, while batting pro Mark Fell also departed for single figures to a slip catch by former England batsman David Lloyd."
Later, it revealed how Ross Sports (Grimsby) seamer Keith Tillison "induced Lloyd to chip a gentle catch to Butler."
My report added of Tillo: "A coveted wicket, indeed, for the newcomer - Lloyd having once made a double hundred in a Test match."
David Lloyd made 17 before departing to that catch by Paul Butler who was then playing for Lincoln Lindum. Having started his career with Skegness, "Butts" moved to the city club for some years before returning to Skeggy to help Wade McCall's men gain promotion from the Lincs prem and into the Lincs ECB for 2009.
Keith Tillison, by the way, opened the bowling in the first innings and finished with three for 43 from 12.2 overs. A fine cricketing family, the Tillisons - of course.
In the second innings, Mark Fell - who has skippered and managed Lincs in the Minor Counties for many years - blazed his way to a super century.
I informed readers: "Mark Fell certainly earned his money with a superb 130 which included eight sixes. One of them, off former England player David Lloyd's left-arm spin - cleared the sightscreen at the pavilion end, bounced over the main road and came near to smashing a window in a hairdresser's. A real close shave!"
Sweet revenge for Felly, having been caught by Bumble on day one.
The match - played midweek - ended in a draw - but Lincs only collected a solitary point. The Cumberland first innings included a hard-hit 101 not out from all-rounder Bernard Reidy, who also played first class cricket for Lancashire.
Big Bernard had folk searching the record books as he also took seven wickets in the first innings, alongside his century. And that was a very rare feat indeed at Minor Counties level.
Lincs: Nick Gandon (Burghley Park), Neil Priestley (Chickenley), Mark Fell (Farnsfield), Graeme Carsberg (Rushden), Clive Wicks (Sleaford), Paul Butler (Lindum), Jim Airey (Cleethorpes), Tim Hopper (Woodhall Spa), David Christmas (Bourne), Mike Bore (Blidworth), Dave Marshall (Normanby Park).
David Lloyd gives his opinions - always worth reading - with a blog on Sky Sports which you can visit through this link
BUMBLE'S BLOG