Cricket: Lancashire Face Anderson Poser
Lancashire must decide whether to risk England's wrath by bowling the returning James Anderson beyond the stipulated 12-overs in their title decider.
It is simple. Sussex, leading by eight points, have to slip up at Trent Bridge and Lancashire have to win at the Rose Bowl. Talk about a Sussex whip hand.
Look deeper and Lancashire's task is even more difficult; and it is not just the millstone of their failure to win an outright championship title since 1934. For Hampshire are only 13 points behind in third, and a win would land them the runners-up spot (and £40,000 prize money) for the second successive season. Their captain, Shane Warne, is in no mood for favours to anybody: "If we can't win it, I don't give a rats who does," he says to dispel any thoughts that Hampshire might not be too displeased if their local rivals Sussex were deprived of the pennant.
All Warne is worried about is winning this match and he is sure to be fit after sustaining a nasty cut above his eye while batting in a Pro40 encounter against Worcestershire a week ago. Hampshire are more concerned about the hapless Chris Tremlett, who has a suspected finger fracture. Michael Carberry (groin) and Sean Ervine (ankle) are also doubts.
Lancashire, however, have the biggest dilemma this morning: what to do with James Anderson? With the England & Wales Cricket Board rigidly sticking to their 12-over restriction (per innings) on him, the skipper, Mark Chilton, and the manager, Mike Watkinson, must decide whether to take a gamble on the England fast bowler.
Both Dominic Cork and Glen Chapple have niggles which are expected to pass muster, so with young Tom Smith's place seemingly secure as third seamer, one can only foresee a spot for Anderson as a replacement for the left-arm spinner Gary Keedy. Hampshire will be playing two spinners (Shaun Udal being the other), so that would be especially harsh on Keedy.
Scepticism can be poured on the moans from Lancashire - mainly supporters rather than players - about time lost to weather this season; over 1,000 overs apparently. Of their seven rain-affected matches, only in one were Lancashire totally in control - against Warwickshire at Blackpool - and victory was not certain even then. Championships are never won by fluke. Whichever side prevails come Saturday will deserve to do so.
Look deeper and Lancashire's task is even more difficult; and it is not just the millstone of their failure to win an outright championship title since 1934. For Hampshire are only 13 points behind in third, and a win would land them the runners-up spot (and £40,000 prize money) for the second successive season. Their captain, Shane Warne, is in no mood for favours to anybody: "If we can't win it, I don't give a rats who does," he says to dispel any thoughts that Hampshire might not be too displeased if their local rivals Sussex were deprived of the pennant.
All Warne is worried about is winning this match and he is sure to be fit after sustaining a nasty cut above his eye while batting in a Pro40 encounter against Worcestershire a week ago. Hampshire are more concerned about the hapless Chris Tremlett, who has a suspected finger fracture. Michael Carberry (groin) and Sean Ervine (ankle) are also doubts.
Lancashire, however, have the biggest dilemma this morning: what to do with James Anderson? With the England & Wales Cricket Board rigidly sticking to their 12-over restriction (per innings) on him, the skipper, Mark Chilton, and the manager, Mike Watkinson, must decide whether to take a gamble on the England fast bowler.
Both Dominic Cork and Glen Chapple have niggles which are expected to pass muster, so with young Tom Smith's place seemingly secure as third seamer, one can only foresee a spot for Anderson as a replacement for the left-arm spinner Gary Keedy. Hampshire will be playing two spinners (Shaun Udal being the other), so that would be especially harsh on Keedy.
Scepticism can be poured on the moans from Lancashire - mainly supporters rather than players - about time lost to weather this season; over 1,000 overs apparently. Of their seven rain-affected matches, only in one were Lancashire totally in control - against Warwickshire at Blackpool - and victory was not certain even then. Championships are never won by fluke. Whichever side prevails come Saturday will deserve to do so.
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