Newcomers add to occasion at Ladybarn

Buttler backing for Morgan

JOS Buttler was bemused at speculation over Eoin Morgan’s England future, insisting everything the limited-overs captain has achieved ‘doesn’t just go away overnight’.

Morgan led the country to a first 50-over World Cup title in 2019, but he is without a half-century in one-day internationals and Twenty20s in almost a year.

He registered two successive ducks against the Netherlands and missed the eight-wicket victory which completed a 3-0 ODI clean sweep due to a tight groin.

But even if form and fitness issues persist, Buttler, who stood in as skipper against the Dutch, insisted Morgan retains the team’s backing.

“There’s certainly no questioning of his position from within the camp,” said the Lancashire wicketkeeper, whose unbeaten 86 from 64 deliveries helped England overhaul a victory target of 245 in just 30.1 overs.

“I can’t put into words what he’s achieved. Everyone always talks about his captaincy but you forget what a brilliant batsman he’s been for England in over 200 ODIS, that doesn’t just go away overnight. Everyone in the team is backing him.”

Test captain Ben

Stokes was even more forthright in his defence of his white-ball counterpart.

“Well, he’s only had two low scores so I wouldn’t say he’s going through a hard time at the moment,” said Stokes. “People are allowed to not score many runs and more than that he’s our captain. He’s a phenomenal leader and always will be so I’ve got no issues with anything going on with him at the moment.”

LADYBARN Bowling Club played their heat of the Springhill Hospice Pairs K-O last Sunday, and with fair weather, a sizeable crowd were treated to an entertaining afternoon of bowls.

A number of newcomers to the Club entered for the first time and made their presence felt. The final result was a convincing win for Pat Boocock and Mark Kitchen over Cynthia Rothwell and Graham Jones.

Losing semi-finalists were Pat and Steve Shaw and Margaret Melvin and Tony Warrington.

The winners collected the Barbara Hemmings trophy and will now go on to represent Ladybarn in the grand finals at Castleton Bowling Club on Sunday 11 September.

Huge thanks to the members of the Club who provided refreshments and raffle prizes which realised a very useful £325 for the Hospice.