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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Tanya Aldred

Through county relegations and club struggles, Blackpool cricket endures

Lancashire's Tom Bailey hits out past Kent wicket keeper Harry Finch during a County Championship Division Two match at Stanley Park in 2025.
It did not end well for Lancashire, but their latest trip to Blackpool was a fine occasion while it lasted. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

What do Harold Larwood, Rohan Kanhai, Richie Richardson and Mushtaq Mohammad have in common? All laced their cricket boots as pros at Blackpool CC, Lancashire’s outground by the sea, watched over by the famous tower – a steel Mona Lisa in a kiss-me-quick hat.

Last week, the ground hosted Lancashire’s men in what has been re-established as an annual Championship match, four days of picnics and fun. At least, it was supposed to be four days – but Kent completed a 140-run win on the third evening, a third morale-sapping defeat for Lancashire, who have also gone down badly to Middlesex and Durham.

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