History of Bucks CCC

championship matches under the county’s rules, which also stipulate that one of the outsiders must coach within the county. The 2005 season started with the home tie that had now become the automatic right of the minor county in the C & G Trophy. Bucks’ opponents were among the most attractive in the land, Lancashire with Andrew Flintoff. The venue was Wormsley, where Bucks had already played a championship match in 1999. Set in the parkland of the Getty family home, the Wormsley ground was first laid out with no expense spared by the late Sir Paul Getty, cricket’s leading modern philanthropist. With gently sloping grass banks above a manicured outfield, and with red kite circling majestically above, it must be doubtful if cricket is played in a more beautiful setting anywhere in the world. For ten years it has always been a very special privilege for Academy teams and others to be allowed to play at Wormsley. Sadly for spectators and players, the spring idyll was compromised by a bitter wind and finally destroyed by squally showers. Sent in to bat, Lancashire made 370 for 4, the principal contribution of 162 not out coming from the unsung Andrew Crook before a phenomenal burst of hitting by Glen Chapple, whose 55 not out came off only 16 balls. Before the rain set in for good Bucks reached 39 for 2 in what was, for the time being at least, the swansong for all minor counties’ participation in the only competition in which they have been able to rub shoulders with first-class opposition. For those who believe that money is the root of all evil, here is powerful evidence to support their case as swathes of the country are denied any possibility of seeing Test stars in action. Bucks’ hopes for the Minor Counties Knockout ended in the first match with a 33-run loss to Wiltshire, while the Championship was a curious mix of disappointment and superlative individual performances. Two wins, two losses and two draws meant slipping down the table to sixth. A five-wicket loss to Cumberland in a low-scoring game at Barrow was followed by a heartening 65-run win, set up by Russell Lane’s 113 Coles and Medlycott lead a revival Wormsley