Peter Moores
Will Lancashire's Drought Ever End?
Peter Moores
By Kashif
March 30 2009
Can Lancs finally land the big one?
Peter Moores
March 30 2009
Can Lancs finally land the big one?
There was a time when
Boston Red Sox fans had to endure what is considered to be one of sport's
longest droughts. Having been on the precipice of a golden era, winning three
World Series in as many years, they decided to sell their star player, Babe
Ruth, to their city rivals New York Yankees in 1919. The rest they say is
history. Ruth and the Yankees dominated, whilst the Red Sox went on an 86 year
hiatus of having to watch other teams claim World Series glory.
Likewise Lancashire and their considerable army of fans have to endure a similar drought. It will be 75 years since the Red Rose county last lifted the Championship outright (there was share of the spoils in 1950 - but that doesn't count, does it?) and with a new coach and a new captain - a new era is about to dawn on Old Trafford and many are hoping that this year is the year that the drought finally comes to an end.
The appointment of coach Peter Moores has whetted the appetite. He has a track record of delivering the impossible, guiding Sussex to their maiden Championship in 2003. Having taken over the reins in 1998, he built the foundations that would first see Sussex win the Second Division before finally capturing the big one for the first time in their 164 year history. It is that and not the tribulations that he encountered with England that have so many of Lancashire’s fans full of early season optimism.
The man himself has tried to quell such ardour by insisting that Lancashire focus not on the end goal but on trying to get the fundamentals of playing good cricket. "The Championship is a great carrot," he said. "But we will probably win it by not focusing on it too much and just playing."
Moores has only been in the hot seat for a mere few weeks and already the mind games have begun. It is almost as if that other man at the other Old Trafford down the road is speaking in cliches and telling the press to take it one game at a time.
Glenn Chapple's appointment as captain has also reinvigorated the hope that is engulfing hallowed surroundings at OT at this time of year. Chappy's the ideal man to be at the helm having come through the system and been at the club for the best part of two decades. The departures of Dominic Cork and Stuart Law have been met with mixed reactions, but reinforced the new beginnings at the club. Mike Watkinson's move upstairs has been widely seen as a good move, whilst the county have signed two overseas players - Ashwell Prince and VVS Laxman - that may actually prove to be more of a benefit than a hindrance in the coming months.
However, 2009 remains a season that may prove to be a stepping stone to glory than anything else. Moores has yet to stamp his own mark on the club, inheriting a squad that is very much in need of tender, love and care. Prince and Laxman should bolster our fragile batting, which had opener Mark Chilton averaging 27 whilst middle order batsmen Mal Loye and Iain Sutcliffe both averaging less than 15! With both Freddie Flintoff and Jimmy Anderson expected on England duties this summer, the fast bowling department is looking for a much needed injection of pace. Old Trafford will also have to watch in the wings after being denied the opportunity to host an Ashes Test match. If Peter Moores was under any illusions then those would have been well and truly shattered after their early season trip to the UAE.
Boston Red Sox waited 86 years for their dreams to come true, Lancashire will be hoping that their nightmares will also one day come to an end.
Likewise Lancashire and their considerable army of fans have to endure a similar drought. It will be 75 years since the Red Rose county last lifted the Championship outright (there was share of the spoils in 1950 - but that doesn't count, does it?) and with a new coach and a new captain - a new era is about to dawn on Old Trafford and many are hoping that this year is the year that the drought finally comes to an end.
The appointment of coach Peter Moores has whetted the appetite. He has a track record of delivering the impossible, guiding Sussex to their maiden Championship in 2003. Having taken over the reins in 1998, he built the foundations that would first see Sussex win the Second Division before finally capturing the big one for the first time in their 164 year history. It is that and not the tribulations that he encountered with England that have so many of Lancashire’s fans full of early season optimism.
The man himself has tried to quell such ardour by insisting that Lancashire focus not on the end goal but on trying to get the fundamentals of playing good cricket. "The Championship is a great carrot," he said. "But we will probably win it by not focusing on it too much and just playing."
Moores has only been in the hot seat for a mere few weeks and already the mind games have begun. It is almost as if that other man at the other Old Trafford down the road is speaking in cliches and telling the press to take it one game at a time.
Glenn Chapple's appointment as captain has also reinvigorated the hope that is engulfing hallowed surroundings at OT at this time of year. Chappy's the ideal man to be at the helm having come through the system and been at the club for the best part of two decades. The departures of Dominic Cork and Stuart Law have been met with mixed reactions, but reinforced the new beginnings at the club. Mike Watkinson's move upstairs has been widely seen as a good move, whilst the county have signed two overseas players - Ashwell Prince and VVS Laxman - that may actually prove to be more of a benefit than a hindrance in the coming months.
However, 2009 remains a season that may prove to be a stepping stone to glory than anything else. Moores has yet to stamp his own mark on the club, inheriting a squad that is very much in need of tender, love and care. Prince and Laxman should bolster our fragile batting, which had opener Mark Chilton averaging 27 whilst middle order batsmen Mal Loye and Iain Sutcliffe both averaging less than 15! With both Freddie Flintoff and Jimmy Anderson expected on England duties this summer, the fast bowling department is looking for a much needed injection of pace. Old Trafford will also have to watch in the wings after being denied the opportunity to host an Ashes Test match. If Peter Moores was under any illusions then those would have been well and truly shattered after their early season trip to the UAE.
Boston Red Sox waited 86 years for their dreams to come true, Lancashire will be hoping that their nightmares will also one day come to an end.
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Posted by: Red Rose County (IP Logged)
Date: 30/03/2009 07:36
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Re: Will Lancashire's Drought Ever End?
Posted by: EAST END PARKER (IP Logged)
Date: 30/03/2009 15:02
Can The Manchester Red Tops wait another eleven years to equal the Boston Red Sox's record of underachievment.
The past 75 years have seen plenty new dawnings of hope,why should this one be any different,old faces go whilst fresh new ones appear,but is there really anything to suggest that these are better than any that haver gone before.
Forgive me for remaining pessimistic.
The past 75 years have seen plenty new dawnings of hope,why should this one be any different,old faces go whilst fresh new ones appear,but is there really anything to suggest that these are better than any that haver gone before.
Forgive me for remaining pessimistic.
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