Former coach to strap on the pads

David Lloyd returns to Accrington

Cricinfo staff

May 1, 2008

	David Lloyd in his younger days, catching Wasim Raja in 1974 © The Cricketer International

David Lloyd, the former Lancashire and England batsman turned commentator, could be strapping on the pads again this season for his hometown club Accrington. Lloyd, 61, is joining his son Graham who also returned to the club this year.

Lloyd is in line to play on Sunday, although he knows he cannot expect to walk straight into the team. "At the end of the day, I'm under no illusions that this is going to be a difficult game," Lloyd told the Lancashire Telegraph. "I haven't played for 19 years and I know that to play in the Lancashire League against Burnley will be tough.

"But I've told them that I'm just one of 20 who are up for selection. I'll be quite happy if I can help them."

He trained in the nets on Tuesday and despite a few aches and pains, he was pleased with the results. "The nets session went alright, I didn't disgrace myself," he said. "I felt a bit stiff in the morning, but it was cricket stiff as opposed to fitness."

David Ormerod, Accrington's captain, said it would be a major boost for the club, which has struggled financially, if Lloyd played. "I spoke to Graham about it, but this is purely David's choice," Ormerod said. "Apparently he's been training and getting himself fit and this is a serious attempt on his part to get into our team.

"But David is realistic about this. He's 61 and he's serious about playing, but he knows we're serious about our cricket as well. He will only be picked if we feel that he's good enough to be picked."

Lloyd captained Lancashire for four years in the 1970s and coached them for much of the 1990s before being appointed England coach in 1996. Since 1999 he has commentated for Sky Sports and the Sky cameras will be on hand on Sunday to film his potential comeback.

"It would be a massive boost for us if he does play," Ormerod said. "Word gets around pretty quickly and hopefully a few people will come down to watch. It's just good to have David around the place. He's such a hometown bloke and a stalwart for Lancashire and England. There's always an extra buzz around the place when he's here.

"He turned up at our emergency meeting and it was great. He's so positive about everything he does."

© Cricinfo