Counting counties

Have you heard the one about the cricket fan from Staffordshire who lives in Yorkshire but travelled almost 400 miles in two days to watch Lancashire and Durham?

No? Well let me tell you about my weekend.

With the Clydesdale Bank 40 back in full swing, I was keen to take in some live limited-overs action during a rare break from work.

And with my flatmates from Manchester and Darlington at a loose end on Saturday and Sunday respectively – the days on which their counties were playing at home – I decided to indulge myself by accompanying them to back-to-back matches.

Before we go any further, I feel I should make a confession. When it comes to domestic cricket, it's fair to say I'm not the most loyal supporter.

With my own county of Staffordshire not involved in first-class or List A cricket, I was initially seduced by the star-studded Lancashire side of the mid-1990’s containing the likes of Wasim Akram and Michael Atherton.

However, it was only when I started my degree in 2005 that I started to regularly attend matches (insert layabout student gag here) and by this stage it was Warwickshire who were receiving my backing as one of my best friends was a member at Edgbaston.

I was seduced by the star-studded Lancashire side of the mid-1990’s containing the likes of Wasim Akram

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I've also been known to cheer on Derbyshire on occasions (The County Ground is only 45 minutes from my parents’ house) and I'm starting to get a bit of a soft spot for Durham after watching them live on three occasions this season.

To add to the confusion I turned up at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon – the home of my first cricketing love - hoping to see a strong performance from the ECB Unicorns, who provided the opposition for Lancashire.

The team comprised of the country’s leading amateur players had chased down a scarcely believable 326 – the highest score by any side batting second in the history of 40-over cricket - to claim victory in an earlier group game against Sussex.

And as I settled into my seat following an adventurous two-hour journey from my home in Howden in which I twice had to stop for sheep in the middle of the A-roads that wind through the Pennines, I was anticipating a competitive encounter.

Unfortunately, the Unicorns failed to deliver on this occasion and were dismissed for a disappointing total of 143 en route to a comprehensive nine-wicket defeat.

Keith Parsons’ side responded superbly by claiming a thrilling three-wicket win over Worcestershire at Kidderminster on the following day, but by then I was at Chester-le-Street to see Durham take on an in-form Nottinghamshire outfit.

There was no need for any animal-avoidance tactics on the long drive north as I opted to stick largely to the motorway on this occasion.

Notts Outlaws opener Alex Hales enhanced his growing reputation with a classy unbeaten 96 in victory at Durham

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My trusty Renault Clio actually completed the 111-mile trip somewhat quicker than I or my Durham-supporting flatmate expected, leaving us plenty of time to soak up the delights of the Riverside ground prior to the start of the game.

The match itself once again proved to be slightly more one-sided than I had hoped for as Nottinghamshire – despite a late wobble – eased to their target of 182 with five wickets and 25 balls to spare.

However, there was still plenty of entertainment on offer on a windy afternoon in the north-east.

Outlaws opener Alex Hales – dropped on two by Gareth Breese off Chris Rushworth – enhanced his growing reputation with a classy unbeaten 96 and Samit Patel looked in wonderful touch during a run-a-ball knock of 46.

Gordon Muchall did his best to help Durham towards a competitive total earlier in the day with a composed 77, while Mitchell Claydon produced a lively spell of pace bowling in the closing overs to spark faint hopes of a home victory.

All in all, despite the relative lack of drama in each match, it was a hugely enjoyable weekend.

And while I may receive plenty of stick for supporting almost a quarter of the first-class counties, it certainly increases your options when you’re looking for a game to attend.

I'm back in Staffordshire this week as it happens and I can't help noticing Leicestershire are hosting Sussex in a LV= County Championship match starting on Thursday.

It's not all that far and the weather forecast is good...does anyone fancy it?