Lancashire somehow hardly strikes one as county championship timber. Yet
county champion it is— in spite, at first sight, of the fact that it has had only one man in the English XI in one of the five Test.matches. Actually that has been a considerable point in its favour, for while its opponent's sides were often depleted as result of the Test Selection Committee's calls it was generally able to put its best eleven in the field. Eekersley's astonishing luck in winning the toss was a substantial asset, for it meant that while Lancashire batted on a new wicket it bowled—its bowlers are none of them outstanding—on a worn one. But obviously only a sound all-round side could get to the top of the cham- pionship tree, and Mr. Eckersley and his men are to be congratulated on their achievement. All the same, a success gained by livelier cricket would be more popular. * *
Previous page
