Essex b Lancashire 20

Martin Chandler | 9:02am GMT 18 February 2024

Published: 2024
Pages: 16
Author: Brodkin, Stuart
Publisher: Red Rose Books
Rating: 3 stars

The title of this one will immediately stir memories for Lancashire supporters, and indeed those of Essex followers as well. The summer of 2013 was not the happiest in Red Rose history as we were in Division 2 of the LV County Championship, having been relegated the season after the 77 years of hurt had finally drawn to a close after the historic title win of 2011.

We did, as we always have when relegated, go straight back up, but for me at least those Division 2 seasons are always a case of marking time. Events at Chelmsford in June had therefore slipped from my memory, although as soon as I saw the title of this one I did recall the afternoon Lancashire shot Essex out for just 20, with a slew of records being set in the process.

Unlike those of us who had to follow the match on the internet Stuart Brodkin had the pleasure of witnessing the events of all three days at Chelmsford, and in this monograph he tells the story of the match, to which he adds the thoughts of three other Lancashire supporters who saw the drama unfold. He then gathers together a few thoughts from members of the Lancashire team and finishes off by listing a few records and items of trivia that relate to the day.

And that is it, other than a piece of advice. For once in my life when faced with something like this I resisted the temptation to look at the scorecard of the match (faithfully reproduced, naturally, at the end of the text) before reading the booklet. Even though I knew the final result was a Lancashire victory I am sure the pleasure gained from reading the monograph was much enhanced by the details of the famous victory only coming back to me as the narrative unfolded.

Essex b Lancashire 20 is issued in a limited edition of one hundred copies which are available from the publisher at £8 inclusive of UK postage and packing. I suspect most will end up on the shelves of Lancashire supporters, but at the same time this one should appeal to anyone with an interest in the county game or freakish cricket matches generally.