Elvis’s fall and my squirrel drama
DAVID ‘BUMBLE’ LLOYD, who’s been Mr T20 since its launch, reveals his favourite memories from 20 madcap years.
CHRISTIAN CHARITY
THE 2010 final ended with Hampshire chairman ‘Rocking’ Rod Bransgrove walking around outfield with the trophy. Only it should have belonged to Somerset. Dan Christian was injured and had to bat with a runner, with Hampshire nine down and two runs to win. He was meant to stay in his crease, but he ran a leg bye to tie the scores. Hampshire won by losing fewer wickets. Had Somerset captain Marcus Trescothick challenged it, the trophy would have headed to Taunton…
PINTS WIN PRIZES
IN THOSE early days, Leicestershire used to offer spectators ‘the best seat in the house’, which was basically a sofa at square leg. There was one bloke sat there who had sunk at least five pints of lager when the ball was smashed flat towards him. Well, he took off, dived and took a one-handed absolute screamer. It was one of the best catches I’ve seen.
FREDDIE’S FALL
WE HAD a sing-off on Finals Day in 2017 when Andrew Flintoff insisted on looking the part as his hero Elvis. But it soon became clear he didn’t know the words to Suspicious Minds and then he tripped over a speaker in front of a lubricated Hollies Stand. A mascot judged his effort better than my Johnny Cash! I was robbed by a squirrel.
FINCH MAKES HIS POINT
HOW about Aaron Finch hitting two massive sixes in an over for Yorkshire against Lancashire in 2014? They landed on top of what was then the new Point stand at Old Trafford. It was a much-maligned building when it first went up but now, with the other new stands, it looks absolutely gorgeous.
YOU KNOW WHERE I AM!
I’VE had a good run in the commentary box and my biggest regret is that I won’t be working at this year’s Finals Day. It’s become the best day of the season and over the years we’ve had so much fun, including me dressing up as Mick Jagger one year and Arthur Shelby of Peaky Blinders! I’ll miss it tremendously but if they want me there, they know my number!