MORE than 2,000 cricket fans saw an England Legends XI defeat Grappenhall by 42 runs at the club’s Broad Lane ground.
The match was staged as part of the club’s 130th anniversary celebration and attracted the biggest ever crowd at the ground.
The Legends XI consisted of Andrew Flintoff, Michael Vaughan, Michael Atherton, Ronni Irani, Dean Headley, Phil DeFreitus, Gladstone Small, John Crawley, David Lloyd, Graham Hick and Warren Hegg.
Grappenhall’s side was supplemented by club patrol Neil Fairbrother – a former England and Lancashire batsman, former Pankistan Test all-rounder Wasim Akram and former Sri Lankan spin ace Muttiha Muralitheran
The Legends batted first and racked up a mammoth 202-5 in their 20 overs with a powerful knock of 80 being scored by Graham Hick with the ball disappearing over the boundary and out of the ground on several occasions.
David Lloyd also played a memorable part by hitting Muralitheran for two consecutive sixes, with one of them smashing a car window.
Murali said afterwards only Brian Lara had ever hit him for a six like that before.
Runs were also scored by Freddie Flintoff much to the great pleasure of the crowd, with him being caught on the edge having smashed the ball on the half volley.
Grappenhall set off at 10 an over with the batsmen getting to grips with the England pace attack. Neil Fairbrother top scored for Grappers with 55 and the innings closed on 160.
A club spokesman said: “It was a memorable day for everyone there and will be talked about at the club for many years to come, for some of our players to take the same field as these illustrious names.
“After the game the ‘Legends’ were real gents and signed autographs for the fans and happily sat and shared a beer with the Grappenhall lads, with several of the players sticking around until late into the night.”
The club has raised much needed funds for both the charities connected with the event, the AF Foundation (Andrew Flintoff’s charity for disadvantaged children) and the Candice Marie Roberts Foundation (to combat Guillain-Barre syndrome).
MORE than 2,000 cricket fans saw an England Legends XI defeat Grappenhall by 42 runs at the club's Broad Lane ground.
2,000 see Legends defeat Grappers
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
