David Lloyd: I’m playing to help Accrington

4:23pm Thursday 1st May 2008

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DAVID Lloyd has revealed it has been a real team effort to get him ready for his cricketing return this weekend.

The 61-year-old former Lancashire and England star has borrowed pads and gloves from Red Rose ace James Anderson, a bat from former England captain Nasser Hussein and a helmet from his son Graham.

And he can't wait for Sunday's match at Thorneyholme Road, in front of the Sky Television cameras against Burnley, although he was expecting a fight to get into the side.

He said: "At the end of the day, I'm under no illusions that this is going to be a difficult game. 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."

Lloyd, nicknamed Bumble', was in full swing during nets on Tuesday night, but he admitted to a few aches and pains yesterday.

And, while he is in demand to play both Saturday and Sunday this weekend, he said he would restrict himself to just the home match.

"The nets session went alright, I didn't disgrace myself. I felt a bit stiff in the morning, but it was cricket stiff as opposed to fitness."

Sunday will be one of two matches the former England coach will be playing for Accrington and he is hoping it can generate some interest in the club, whose very existence was under threat last season due to financial problems.

Lloyd helped out then and he said he was happy to help out again.

He added: "The cricket club was on the verge of going out of existence. A few of us got together, sorted the finances and there's a better plan for going forward.

"They said it would be good if I could play and told them I would give myself a fair amount of time to get fit, I'd come up to nets and let them decide.

"I've talked it over with my wife and I just feel that I've got an obligation to do it.

"I've done pretty well out of cricket, I'm over 60 now and it's been my life since I was 15.

"Accrington started me off and I'm doing this out of respect for all the people at the club."