Brian Lara

[TheFamilyCat]

Just seen on BBC Sport that it is 25 years since Lara scores his world record 501*.

I seem to recall that he was about to sign for a Lancs League club that summer but Warwickshire nipped in at the last minute.

Can anyone confirm if this is true or am I making things up?

[Quickenthetempo]

Padiham got offered the choice of three West Indians for sub pro's and Lara was one of them before he was famous. They chose the all rounder who didn't do much of course.

So he must of been playing League cricket over here at the time.

[elwaclaret]

Padiham got offered the choice of three West Indians for sub pro's and Lara was one of them before he was famous. They chose the all rounder who didn't do much of course.

So he must of been playing League cricket over here at the time.

Back then most Lancashire League teams could expect a decent international player, on the way up or current international. The squad system for international players finally killed that off after some decline in level of player

[ClaretTony]

Back then most Lancashire League teams could expect a decent international player, on the way up or current international. The squad system for international players finally killed that off after some decline in level of player

Not in Lara’s day. That ship had sailed long before then.

[arise_sir_charge]

It was Lowerhouse that nearly signed Lara back in 1990, long before he was a big name. They chose a bloke called Delroy Morgan as he was a better bowler. Lara came over and played somewhere as he visited Delroy whilst they were both over here.

Lara was already famous by the time he signed for Warwickshire.

Another one that got away was Ricky Ponting in 1994. Terms agreed until his mum and dad pulled the plug as they weren’t happy for a then 20 year old Ponting to go away from home in something that wasn’t a endorsed by the ACB. Apparently Ponting was a bit lively at the time and I think he has had his demons later in life so maybe keeping him away from Panama Joes and York’s House served him well!

[arise_sir_charge]

Not in Lara’s day. That ship had sailed long before then.

That's not strictly true Tony, take 1990 as an example and there are some famous names amongst the pro's. Sleep, Miller, Harper, Reiffel, Julian and the year after Lowerhouse had the best all rounder in the world at the time, Prabhakar and a young Shane Warne was at Accy plus there were big names such as Alan Donald and future stars like Michael Clarke, Michale Bevan etc in the following years.

The advent of T20 and the big year round comps, plus increased earnings as a result, has been what has killed the access to top pro's for league cricket.

Until the mid 2000's the league was brimming with future stars as pro's but this tailed off when the £12k for a summer in the UK became less vital to these lads as they'd get 5 times that for playing a few weeks in a T20 comp somewhere in the world.

The current pro's get some stick because of what has gone before but there is still some serious talent among them.

[elwaclaret]

Not in Lara’s day. That ship had sailed long before then.

Oh....Ok I must be older than I thought

[Quickenthetempo]

I would love some of the current West Indies team to play in the local leagues. Fantastic, exciting cricketers all through the team.

[Local cricketer]

That's not strictly true Tony, take 1990 as an example and there are some famous names amongst the pro's. Sleep, Miller, Harper, Reiffel, Julian and the year after Lowerhouse had the best all rounder in the world at the time, Prabhakar and a young Shane Warne was at Accy plus there were big names such as Alan Donald and future stars like Michael Clarke, Michale Bevan etc in the following years.

The advent of T20 and the big year round comps, plus increased earnings as a result, has been what has killed the access to top pro's for league cricket.

Until the mid 2000's the league was brimming with future stars as pro's but this tailed off when the £12k for a summer in the UK became less vital to these lads as they'd get 5 times that for playing a few weeks in a T20 comp somewhere in the world.

The current pro's get some stick because of what has gone before but there is still some serious talent among them.

You missed out Joe Angel

[arise_sir_charge]

There are loads of players I missed off, including Lowerhouse players like Ryan Harris and Jacques Rudolph etc. I picked a sample just to show some of the quality that was in the loague around that time and to be honest although he was a decent player, Jo Angel wasn't fit to lace some of their boots.

[Local cricketer]

There are loads of players I missed off, including Lowerhouse players like Ryan Harris and Jacques Rudolph etc. I picked a sample just to show some of the quality that was in the loague around that time and to be honest although he was a decent player, Jo Angel wasn't fit to lace some of their boots.

Alright stroppy! Does Peter Sleep still own the b & b at Rishton?

[Transpennine]

Alright stroppy! Does Peter Sleep still own the b & b at Rishton?

There's a B&B in Rishton...?

[Quickenthetempo]

There's a B&B in Rishton...?

It used to be next door to the cricket ground and called Wickets or something. I'm not sure if it's still there.

[TheFamilyCat]

There's a B&B in Rishton...?

Bat & Ball

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Peter Sleep and Joe Angel wow