From Manchester Online
Question
So why didn't the championship pennant fly over Old Trafford for the first time since 1934?
Answer
To most people the answer is simple. Lancashire lost the equivalent of 11 days to bad light and rain - not all of it in Manchester - costing them victory chances early on against Surrey, Middlesex, Notts and Warwicks.
"If we could have relocated to the south coast, we would have wrapped up the title well before the end of the summer," said chairman Jack Simmons, who pointed to the fact that Sussex lost less than a full day.
Certainly the weather had a massive impact.
"Warwickshire was a nailed-on win if we'd had the full four days," said seamer Peter Martin. "And I think we would have beaten Notts as well."
But, despite all the spoiled matches, Lancashire still had a chance to land that elusive title, last captured outright in 1934.
They could have made a more adventurous declaration at Chelmsford, where Esssex finished hanging on with nine wickets left. They lost the crucial clash at Hove, blaming controversial umpires' decisions.
Not for the first time, they made a late dash for the top, crushing Surrey and Sussex at Old Trafford, but it proved to be too late. They finished in second spot for the fourth time in six years, underlining Law's comment in mid-season: "I don't think we're quite there yet as a championship-winning side, but we're very close."
Hegg said: "I still think we were the best side, even though we didn't win it. Really there were only three teams in it, Surrey, us and Sussex. We hammered them both at our place, got the better of a draw at the Oval and would have got a draw at Hove but for some diabolical decisions."
The 35-year-old keeper was also incensed by suggestions that Sussex had built up a stronger team ethic than the Red Rose outfit.
"Total nonsense," he rapped. "I have played in some great Lancashire teams and the spirit in this current squad is the strongest I've ever known."
That's backed up by Law, who is ready to leave home at 7.30 each morning when Lancashire are playing at home.
"The missus said 'Surely you don't have to be there so early?' but I just want to get to work.
"There's a great atmosphere at the club. I know we're on the verge of something special."
Question
So why didn't the championship pennant fly over Old Trafford for the first time since 1934?
Answer
To most people the answer is simple. Lancashire lost the equivalent of 11 days to bad light and rain - not all of it in Manchester - costing them victory chances early on against Surrey, Middlesex, Notts and Warwicks.
"If we could have relocated to the south coast, we would have wrapped up the title well before the end of the summer," said chairman Jack Simmons, who pointed to the fact that Sussex lost less than a full day.
Certainly the weather had a massive impact.
"Warwickshire was a nailed-on win if we'd had the full four days," said seamer Peter Martin. "And I think we would have beaten Notts as well."
But, despite all the spoiled matches, Lancashire still had a chance to land that elusive title, last captured outright in 1934.
They could have made a more adventurous declaration at Chelmsford, where Esssex finished hanging on with nine wickets left. They lost the crucial clash at Hove, blaming controversial umpires' decisions.
Not for the first time, they made a late dash for the top, crushing Surrey and Sussex at Old Trafford, but it proved to be too late. They finished in second spot for the fourth time in six years, underlining Law's comment in mid-season: "I don't think we're quite there yet as a championship-winning side, but we're very close."
Hegg said: "I still think we were the best side, even though we didn't win it. Really there were only three teams in it, Surrey, us and Sussex. We hammered them both at our place, got the better of a draw at the Oval and would have got a draw at Hove but for some diabolical decisions."
The 35-year-old keeper was also incensed by suggestions that Sussex had built up a stronger team ethic than the Red Rose outfit.
"Total nonsense," he rapped. "I have played in some great Lancashire teams and the spirit in this current squad is the strongest I've ever known."
That's backed up by Law, who is ready to leave home at 7.30 each morning when Lancashire are playing at home.
"The missus said 'Surely you don't have to be there so early?' but I just want to get to work.
"There's a great atmosphere at the club. I know we're on the verge of something special."
