Scott Read, Radio Lancashire commentator
The numbers are well documented, and they don’t make for pretty reading. Lancashire have not made 200 in any innings since June, their last batting point came in May and not since April have they managed to pick up more than two batting points.
Since their last win in April against Gloucestershire, they have lost eight of the following 10 Championship matches.
Lancashire have never finished bottom of the County Championship; it’s a fate that they will probably avoid even though bottom club Gloucestershire have managed more wins heading into the final round of games.
It’s the match against Gloucestershire in Bristol where things started to go wrong this year, season-ending injuries for Ajeet Singh Dale and Luke Wells in the same game deprived them of a new marquee signing and their opening batter.
In fact, they’ve used seven different opening partnerships this season, their first stand of 50 for the first wicket didn’t come until September. Only two players have scored a century, Marcus Harris has done it twice with Paul Coughlin batting at eight being the other.
They’ve used 25 different players, it’s been that kind of season.
Yes, the numbers don’t make for pretty reading, at least those numbers don’t. In the middle of all this is a remarkable display of endurance, fitness and sheer desire to play which has seen James Anderson miss only two red-ball games.
He’s captained and carried the side all summer, ending the season with over 50 wickets. Not since 2005 has Anderson taken 50 wickets in a season for Lancashire. George Balderson has also passed 50 this year, the first time in his career he’s reached that milestone.
The club continue to try to give younger players a chance – Rocky Flintoff, Arav Shetty, Joe Moores and Ben Walkden all featuring. But it’s 15 years ago that Lancashire last won the title, it’s over a decade since they last won major silverware.
And, since finishing second in Division One in 2022 the Red Rose have only won 11 of the following 55 Championship matches, with a relegation in 2024 and are now set for a third successive season in Division Two.
Cricket has a wonderful habit of making fools of us all, it can quickly prove us all wrong, but the trend is worrying and the fear among many members is that it may take some time to turn the fortunes of this famous old club around.