Lancashire: Graham Lloyd's big chances (2 Sep 1998)
Graham Lloyd has been handed two big chances to stake his claim for a place in England's World Cup squad next year
02-Sep-1998
2 September 1998
Graham Lloyd's big chances
The Lancashire Evening Telegraph
Graham Lloyd has been handed two big chances to stake his claim for a
place in England's World Cup squad next year.
Yesterday he was a surprise selection, alongside Lancashire
team-mates Neil Fairbrother, Ian Austin and Peter Martin, for the
Wills International Tournament in Bangladesh next month.
But first it's the NatWest Trophy final against Derbyshire on
Saturday - and Lloyd is looking to make his mark.
"So many players have been picked to play for England this winter
that it's wide open," says the 29-year-old, who admits he knows next
to nothing about Bangladesh."
Lloyd concedes that he has not had a good season, although coach Dav
Whatmore is keen to stress that he has worked hard to be more
consistent and it has paid off in recent weeks with important runs
against Glamorgan and Yorkshire, and a typical whirlwind century at
Durham.
"I've never felt out of nick, but as a batsman you should be getting
five centuries a season, and that was my first," he added. "Hopefully
there is still time for a couple more." Ideally at Lord's. Lloyd has
played in five previous finals there going back to a controversial
debut in 1991 when he was a last minute replacement for David Hughes
in the Benson and Hedges Cup defeat by Worcestershire.
"I haven't scored many runs at Lord's, but I haven't really had many
chances," he reflects.
"A lot of the time we have already got the runs on the board and a
big score has never been needed from me - my top score is 20-odd."
Lancashire won the toss and Derbyshire were 61-2 from 15 overs, Peter
Martin claiming both wickets.
Yesterday's inactivity suited Surrey more than their rivals who began
the day 23 points adrift of Surrey.
Leicestershire had the better of a truncated first day at
Warwickshire when they reduced Leicestershire to 190 for six.
Fourth-placed Gloucestershire hold the slight advantage after the
first day against Northamptonshire at Bristol. At the close the home
side held a lead of 27 with five first-innings wickets intact.
Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)