Jack praying for Sunday sun

BIG DATE BECKONS . . . umpire Jack Bamford.

CRICKET:

POPULAR Oldham sporting figure Jack Bamford is praying for fine weather.

That’s because 67-year-old Bamford – the Oldham Sunday Football League chairman – has been invited to officiate at a prestigious representative cricket fixture at Littleborough Lakeside’s Rakewood ground on Sunday.

Shaw-based Bamford will be the umpire when a Lakeside XI – captained by former Yorkshire and England Test wicketkeeper Richard Blakey – take on Kenya in a specially-arranged match which will act as a warm-up ahead of the African side’s forthcoming fixture against Scotland.

The 50-over per side match is set to start at 11am.

Bamford said: “I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the weather to stay fine because I’m really looking forward to umpiring in this match.

“It’ll be the first time I’ve officiated in a game featuring an international side so I am quite excited.

“I was made up when Littleborough first asked me about it, so now it’s getting nearer I just hope we get a full match in and the spectators will enjoy it.”

Bamford didn’t start playing cricket until he was 36, and after featuring for local clubs Springhead, Rochdale Catholic Club and Crompton St Mary’s among others, he turned to officiating eight years ago in the North Manchester League.

His efforts in the middle were soon widely appreciated and winning the Umpire of the Year prize for five seasons in a row highlight this, but knee trouble has restricted his appearances over the last couple of seasons.

Regular cortizone injections in his knee mean Bamford hasn’t umpired at all so far this term, but the joint has settled down and he will be raring to go come Sunday morning.

“I’m fit and ready,” added Bamford.

“To stand in this fixture was an opportunity I definitely didn’t want to miss.”