For much of the day one of the only areas of the ground that could be described as crowded was the most easterly of the unused pitches, clearly recently reseeded and as a result attracting unusual numbers of pigeons. In the similarly sought-after spots on the lower slopes of the Party Stand the supporters’ most raucous cheers were prompted not by the game being played in front of them but those they improvised themselves, perhaps with a beach ball or by constructing a tower of empty cups on the head of a snoozing spectator.
Lancashire’s website advertised a special offer on remaining tickets for Saturday – as of tea on Thursday there were still 3,281 available, about 12.5% of the ground’s capacity. Somehow – and unrelated to the rain that washed out the morning – it is fair to say that interest in this series has yet to catch fire.
