Law tells batsmen to stand up and be counted

6:30am Friday 15th August 2008

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LANCASHIRE’S batsmen must stop looking for excuses and stand up and be counted for the rest of the domestic season.

That is the view of captain Stuart Law, who is becoming increasingly frustrated by their lack of runs.

“I don’t think we are in a crisis,” said Law. “It’s just a matter of people sticking their hands up and saying ‘right, enough is enough.’ I don’t want people to look for excuses.

“Show some ownership. We have underachieved, and it’s time to put it right. Stop walking around like you have lost your last dollar, get out there and score some runs.”

Lancashire’s batting will be tested to the maximum today, as they look to save themselves from possible defeat in the Roses County Championship fixture against Yorkshire at Old Trafford.

White Rose opener Andrew Gale hit an unbeaten 111, adding to Anthony McGrath’s 99, to push the visitors beyond Lancashire’s first innings score of 231. They finished yesterday’s third day on 234-2, leading Lancashire by three runs.

Yorkshire’s first priority will be to secure the maximum of five batting bonus points for passing 400. With wickets in hand, they will increase their run-rate this morning.

But they should then declare to leave Lancashire in the region of 60-65 overs to bat out the game for a draw.

Yorkshire’s batting has been absolutely terrible over the past month or so. They have lost four out of their last five LV Division One games on the back of one collapse after another.

They turned things around yesterday though, and Lancashire have to give a confident display today.

Law admitted to addressing the batting issue yesterday morning. He said: “I’m trying to do it the nice way. But I keep going back in my mind to what was said to me at times when I first started playing cricket from guys like Allan Border.

“It sometimes made you want to cry. You could be made to feel like you were not good enough, like you were inadequate. Maybe it’s time for harsh words, I don’t know.”