An “embarrassing” photograph exhibits the members part of the Lord’s Cricket Ground “virtually empty” as England decimated Ireland in a one-off check.
It’s often known as the Home of Cricket, however members have been clearly lower than enthusiastic about attending the grounds at St John’s Wood, London to see England tackle the Men in Green.
Broadcaster Piers Morgan took a potshot on the lack of curiosity within the check, posting a photograph of the sparsely populated members space.
“Cracking day’s Test cricket and the Lord’s pavilion is virtually empty… embarrassing. What’s the point being a member if you don’t bother to turn up? he wrote.
Aravind Vijayaraghavan blamed companies for buying up tickets.
“Corporate memberships are ruining sports. Cricket, football, the lot. Same goes for over-reliance on season tickets. It has turned these sports from something that most people can enjoy, to something that is used as a corporate tool. And driven prices up in the process. Shameful,” he wrote in response.
The check itself was a reasonably one-sided affair with England declaring after posting an unlimited 524/4 in response to Ireland’s first innings of 172.
Ollie Pope added 205 to the England rating sheet whereas Ben Duckett scored 182.
The Green and Whites fought again valiantly within the second innings, posting a decent 362 with the tail wagging vigorously.
Andy McBrine scored a 86 (not out) whereas Mark Adair high scored with 88.
England wanted a mere 12 runs to safe victory within the fourth innings – and Zak Crawley did the business by himself with three 4s. England gained the check by 10 wickets.
The check was a digital warm-up sport for England’s upcoming Ashes sequence towards Australia.
The focus in England has been on the readiness of Ben Stokes for the Ashes.
Stokes has struggled with a left knee damage since England’s tour of New Zealand in February.
England’s declaration meant he didn’t must bat — and the paceman additionally opted towards bowling himself within the lone check.
The all-rounder regarded as if he may develop into the primary England captain since Harold Gilligan 93 years in the past to not bat, bowl, maintain a catch or make a stumping in a Test.
But Stokes averted becoming a member of an unique membership when he caught Curtis Campher off part-time off-spinner Joe Root throughout Saturday’s morning session.
The means he then hobbled to affix his celebrating teammates was a worrying signal, nonetheless, with the Ashes opening towards Australia at Edgbaston in lower than two weeks on June 16.
Nevertheless, Stokes informed a post-match news convention on Saturday: “I bowled this morning (in the nets) for the first time in four weeks and I felt really good. I was real happy with how I bowled.
“I bowled for about 20 minutes and I got through that really well. Obviously I have got time to build up before I push back into flat out but I just landed quite awkwardly when I took that catch.
“I didn’t quite see it so had to adjust myself and landed on my left leg. It twisted in a really strange way but it was fine, I just don’t know what really happened.
“It was one of those things, but I am 32 tomorrow (Sunday) so that probably explains it,” added Stokes after England’s eleventh win in 13 Tests since he joined forces with coach Brendon McCullum final 12 months.
– with AFP
Originally revealed as ‘Embarrassing’ photograph exhibits Lords members space just about empty
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
