Lancashire legend David Lloyd has revealed he was almost denied entry to Old Trafford on day one of the second Test between England and South Africa.
Lloyd, who spent more than 15 years playing for Lancashire at Old Trafford, had to be rescued by someone from the ECB after his accreditation did not work when he attempted to enter the ground.
In his column for the Daily Mail, Lloyd wrote: "Turned up at Old Trafford yesterday to be greeted by a mighty kerfuffle at the gate when my accreditation card turned red. No entry!
"I had to be rescued when clearance came from the highest level from someone at the ECB and I was given the green light. I did tell them I had been to this ground once or twice before but, to be fair, they were just doing their job…"
After finally getting into the ground, Lloyd watched saw 13 wickets fall on day one after South Africa were bowled out for just 151 and England were reduced to 11-3 in response. Opener Alex Lees was the first English wicket to fall when he was caught behind off Lungi Ngidi for just four.
And Lloyd was highly critical of the shot Lees played to get out. "There was so much technically wrong with Alex Lees's dismissal," he added.
"Lungi Ngidi was coming round the wicket and had Lees been tight in his defence, the ball would have come back at the bowler. But he played loosely, outside of his body width. "Lees knew what he had done. He stomped straight off in high dudgeon."
Lloyd also backed South Africa captain Dean Elgar's decision to bat first after winning the toss, despite his side getting bowled out cheaply. "Call me a stubborn old so and so if you like but I still say South Africa were correct to bat first after winning the toss," he continued.
"There was cloud cover and the ball moved around but the key at Old Trafford is to get through the first morning and then make hay. It will turn here later and South Africa have included a second spinner in Simon Harmer."
