News

2012 - bring it on!

With Lancashire's players reporting back for training, reporter Graham Hardcastle looks forward with anticipation to 2012

Near misses have come with regularity in 50-over cricket, Twenty20 cricket and County Championship cricket in recent years for Lancashire sides who have often failed to grasp glory by a whisker.

But, despite this, never once has a player or coach failed to stand up and face a difficult question or two from the media.

Whether it be Mark Chilton as captain in 2006 and 2007 when the Championship title eluded his side at the Rose Bowl and at the Oval or Glen Chapple as skipper at the fast and furious Friends Life t20 Finals Day earlier this year, they have fronted up without hesitation.

And that is what makes this year's Championship success all the more satisfying.

After all, it is never easy sparking up conversation about missing out on the Championship to Sussex by 25 runs or a Twenty20 semi-final defeat to Leicestershire Foxes by the virtue of county cricket's first ever Super Over Eliminator.

Lancashire is, without question, an interesting county to report seen as there is always something happening.

Whether it be challenging for silverware, which has happened for pretty much every summer in recent memory in one form or another, a new star signing or a legal battle which threatens the future of the club, it is never quiet at Old Trafford.

Each and every year at media day, the captain, coach or cricket director has had to answer the same question.

Glen, it's been 75 years since the club last won the Championship. Is this going to be your year?

Peter, it's been 76 years since the club last won the Championship. Is this going to be your year?

Mike, it's been 77 years since the club last won the Championship. Is this going to be your year?

It will be fascinating next summer to see what the assembled reporters will come up with as an alternative.

Glen, it's been seven months since the club last won the Championship. Is this going to be your year? It doesn't have quite the same ring to it, does it?

It won't be a surprise to learn that 2011 has been a more hectic year than most for the print and broadcast media.

A drawn out legal battle over the redevelopment of OT, a lack of money for new signings, a move to out-grounds at Liverpool, Southport and Blackpool, the capture of an Ashes Test for 2013 and, of course, the title win all grabbing the headlines.

And, on the face of it, 2012 promises to be just that little bit quieter. But don't bet on it.

With the likes of Simon Kerrigan, Karl Brown, Steven Croft and Tom Smith, to name just a few, all enhancing their reputations quickly, there is every chance that one of those could be joining new beneficiary James Anderson in the full England team sooner rather than later.

Of course, there is also a title defence to report on. Here's to more thrills, spills and silverware in the years to come.

• Graham Hardcastle is the co-author of Champions - About Bloomin' Time, published next Tuesday (December 6th).
• Graham and co-author Chris Ostick will be at Old Trafford for the book launch, along with Peter Moores, Glen Chapple and some of the Lancashire squad.
• The book launch is in the Red Rose Suite (3pm-6pm) and everyone is welcome to attend

You can order the book from the Old Trafford Ticket Office, priced £16.99 (inc postage), on 0161 282 4040. Please note that this is a special pre-launch offer. From December 7th, the cost will be £16.99 plus £3.00 postage.