Frustration continues at Blackpool

Mark Butcher (rain)

Surrey's game with Lancashire was rained off for a third day at Blackpool

Lancashire’s LV County Championship clash with Surrey is under threat of being completely washed out after the third day of play was called off.

With Blackpool’s Stanley Park Ground sodden, the umpires decided it would be impossible to get any plan in today.

“I have never seen a ground as boggy in my life,” said umpire Jeremy Lloyds.

“If we don’t get the drying weather - as you can see it is grey and overcast - then it might be the same again tomorrow.”

Both sides are desperate to get in some cricket on the Fylde Coast to accrue bonus points in the important Division One clash.

There has been no rain in Blackpool for the best part of 24 hours.

Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson and Surrey coach Alan Butcher put their cases forward to get play under way today after two days of inactivity.

But the final decision was left with Lloyds and his fellow umpire Nick Cook.

Lloyds explained: “There is no way that we could ask anybody to play cricket out there.

“The run-ups are very soft.

“If bowlers run up over any period of time, three to four overs, then they would be two to three inches into the ground.

“Then they wouldn’t be allowed to bowl. You would have to bring the spinners on and then our feeling is that it brings the game into disrepute.”

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